FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2023-2 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (January 4, 2023) – In this first edition of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps for 2023 we celebrate the first radio broadcast- only 100 years ago.            

WE’RE ON THE AIR

Today is the 100th anniversary of the first radio network broadcast in the United States.  Granted, it was small, short and a one-off, but still it led to the media giants that exist today.

AT&T was the leader in attempting to develop radio networks.  On January 4, 1923, a one-time experimental broadcast linked by telephone circuits occurred with WEAF in New York City (now WFAN) and WNAC in Boston (now WRKO).

Reports say that at least 100,000 Radio fans listened to the three-hour broadcast of orchestral pieces, saxophone and cello solos, various vocalists, and a bird mimic.

Success with this broadcast set plans in motion for exploring national networks which could allow symphonic performances to be heard simultaneously coast-to-coast, as well as Presidential addresses, campaign speeches, and even the World Series.

Here is a Supervue aerial map of Manhattan by Freedman from ten years later.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.