-
Radiovision is born
Charles Jenkins invented a mechanical television system called radiovision and claimed to have transmitted the earliest moving silhouette images. -
First Public Demonstration of Television
John Baird gave the first demonstration of television to forty people in his lab, the images were of living human faces. -
First mass produced television
made by John Baird the first tv begins to mass produce -
1939 Worlds fair shows TV
1939 World's Fair in New York, where RCA unveiled their new NBC TV studios in Rockefeller Plaza -
FCC authorizes commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting finally authorized by the FCC to start on this date. NBC begins with a 10 second "Bulova" (watch) commercial. This first commercial, which simply showed the face of a watch, gave the network a profit of $7.00 -
War slows TV production
War slows production of TV sets -
The invention of cable
Cable is first born in Pennyslavania, allowing a 24/7 feed of television. -
First Children's programming
The American Broadcasting Company first aired Saturday morning TV shows for children creating new programming to attract a larger audience. -
First Remote Control
The first TV remote control, called the “Lazy Bones,” was developed in 1950 by Zenith Radio Corporation. -
Ed Sullivan show in color
CBS broadcasts a one-hour Ed Sullivan show, but only two dozen CBS sets can receive the color broadcast. By the end of June, RCA demonstrates its electronic color system, and the industry takes notice. -
RCA color system becomes standard
FCC approves electronic RCA color system, reversing its prior decision to accept CBS mechanical system. It calls this new RCA color system "NTSC" color. -
First Presidential debate on television
The first televised Presidential debate on 26 Sep 1960, was watched by over 65-70 million viewers, and is widely credited with erasing Richard M. Nixon's lead over John F. Kennedy. -
JFK assasinated
John Fitzgerald Kennedy is shot on television while in Dallas, TX -
Moon Landing
The Apollo 11 space mission landed on the moon and was broadcast on television -
NBC begins broadcasting news all the time
The National Broadcast Center begins to show the news seven days a week -
Munich Olympic games terror attack
Athletes from Isreal are attacked and killed by terrorists at the Munich Olympic games. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
More than sixty Americans were taken hostage for over one year by Iranian revolutionaries. -
Creation of CNN
The Cable News Network begins and is the first "superstation" network. -
Final episode of M.A.S.H.
The final episode of MASH had over 100 million viewers. And was incredibly popular over its many seasons. -
Tiananmen Square Massacre
Chinese Military forces fire upon civilian protestors in Tiananmen Square causing a brutal massacre. -
Gulf War
America begins its campaign in the gulf with bombing runs and ground forces going to stop Sadam Hussein's WMD's -
Los Angeles Riots
The beating of Rodney King by police officers along with there being no penalty for them caused citywide riots in LA. -
History Channel Launches
The History Channel was launched creating another channel that to make money and further increase entertainment -
September 11 Terrorist attacks
The Twin Towers in New York City are destroyed by a terrorist attack. -
Massive tidal wave hits Indonesia
A 9.0 magnitude sparked a massive tidal wave, or tsunami Indonesia was hit with little advance warning, wiping out entire communities and killing an estimated 280,000 people -
2008 Presidentail election
Barack Obama wins over John McCain to become President of the most powerful country in the world.
