A Late November Afternoon in 1948 As West Seattle, the City Co-Champions, Took on the Wenatchee Panthers in the Annual Thanksgiving Day High-School Football Classic

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Late November Afternoon in 1948 As West Seattle, the City Co-Champions, Took on the Wenatchee Panthers in the Annual Thanksgiving Day High-School Football Classic 6/1/2016 TV's magical early days This story ran in The Seattle Times on August 25, 1996 J. P. Patches, at left. Photo Credit: Photographic Productions By Sharon Boswell and Lorraine McConaghy Special to The Times Nearly 13,000 cheering spectators filled Seattle's Memorial Field on a late November afternoon in 1948 as West Seattle, the city co-champions, took on the Wenatchee Panthers in the annual Thanksgiving Day high-school football classic. The cross-state rivals battled to a thrilling 6-6 tie. Yet perhaps even more thrilling for thousands of others who jammed appliance stores, clubs and taverns around town was to watch the game on television. It was the first commercial program ever broadcast in Seattle, and by all accounts a memorable event. "Television is here," announced The Seattle Times in a special supplement, explaining the technology behind this "magical" medium and advising viewers on how to use test patterns to tune their sets. But at this early stage, the advent of TV seemed primarily a marketing opportunity. "Television places a whole new world of home entertainment at your very feet," teased advertisers, wooing buyers with Philco consolettes for $359.50 or Admiral's Triple Thrill model that included a radio and phonograph for just $200 more. Seattleites had to be sold on the idea that this newcomer could really compete with other media, particularly radio, which had entertained and informed for decades. Yet radio, "the voice of the people" had also taken time to become widely accepted. The city once proudly claimed to be home to pioneer radio broadcasting: A young inventor, William Dubilier, had transmitted voice messages between Seattle and Tacoma on his "wireless telephone" as early as 1910. But it was not until 1922 that the region's first radio station, KJR, received a license and the industry really took off. Soon colleges, churches, and even department stores installed transmitters and began broadcasting. 'Wunda Wunda' Starring: Ruth Prins Station: KING-TV Years on air: 1953-1972 Photo Credit: Forde Photographers. http://old.seattletimes.com/special/centennial/august/tv.html 1/3 6/1/2016 TV's magical early days Bigger, better-bankrolled operations came to dominate the airwaves. Most notable was KOMO, owned by Seattle's Fisher family, whose interests also included flour mills. KIRO soon followed. Started by a rival milling company, the station was taken over and expanded by Seattle businessman and politico Saul Haas. By the 1930s, radio's golden age had dawned. In Seattle, each station cultivated its individual personality and its own stable of radio talent. Throughout this era, experimentation also continued on new broadcasting technology. In June 1929, Seattle's first television pictures -- mostly symbols, letters and numbers -- were beamed across the airwaves, and a few with vision saw the potential. By 1948, when KRSC, a small Seattle radio station, obtained a television broadcasting license, equipment was available to show Thanksgiving Day football live. A technician at KRSC-TV, Seattle's first television station, checks the camera before heading to a sporting event in 1949. Photo Credit: Seattle Times. KRSC-TV WAS ONLY THE 15TH TELEVISION STATION IN THE NATION, but its local radio rivals recognized they had to jump quickly into the fray. The Federal Communications Commission initially stymied their efforts, hoping to stop the mad scramble nationwide by placing a moratorium on new licenses. In the meantime, Dorothy Bullitt, a broadcasting industry newcomer, purchased money-short KRSC, changing the call letters to KING and taking advantage of its brief local TV monopoly to create the region's television giant. In 1952 when licensing resumed, the Fisher stations -- led by O.W. Fisher -- finally broke into the business with KOMO-TV. It took KIRO five more years of legal battles to get a television permit. Competition for network affiliation was cutthroat as stations vied to air such hugely popular shows as Milton Berle or "I Love Lucy." Like radio, however, area television executives soon found it lucrative to broadcast more of their own live shows. Aside from sporting events, with weekly wrestling matches a favorite, local television focused on family fare -- everything from musical variety programs to chatty interviews, cookbook quizzes and helpful homemaker shows. 'King's Clubhouse' theme song Zero dachus, Mucho Crackus Hallaballooza Bub That's the secret password that we Use down at the club, and Zero dachus, Mucho Crackus Hallaballooza fan Means now you are a member of King's TV club with Stan. Photo Credit: Seattle Times. 'King's Clubhouse' http://old.seattletimes.com/special/centennial/august/tv.html 2/3 6/1/2016 TV's magical early days Starring: Stan Boreson and his basset hounds, Tallulah and No Mo Shun Station: KING-TV Years on air: 1954-1967 But at the heart of 1950s households were the children. Soon, the biggest local stars were kids' show hosts. Seattle toddlers grew up listening to the story-telling Wunda Wunda, singing along with Sheriff Tex, or discovering the wonders of the natural world with Captain Puget. And, of course, most kids also became Patches pals, watching the beloved J.P Patches perform his crazy antics, twice each weekday and once on Saturday. Despite its rapidly rising popularity, television continued to evoke skepticism, especially among media competitors. The Times went so far as to ban TV sets from the newsroom. But most viewers of the 1950s were sold on television: It had fulfilled the prophecy of its earliest advertisers, bringing a whole new world of home entertainment to their very feet. Historians Sharon Boswell and Lorraine McConaghy teach at local universities and do research, writing and oral history. Original newspaper graphics courtesy of the Seattle Public Library. More photos Table Topics Copyright © 1996 The Seattle Times Company http://old.seattletimes.com/special/centennial/august/tv.html 3/3.
Recommended publications
  • Report on the History of Matthew P. Deady and Frederick S. Dunn
    Report on the History of Matthew P. Deady and Frederick S. Dunn By David Alan Johnson Professor, Portland State University former Managing Editor (1997-2014), Pacific Historical Review Quintard Taylor Emeritus Professor and Scott and Dorothy Bullitt Professor of American History. University of Washington Marsha Weisiger Julie and Rocky Dixon Chair of U.S. Western History, University of Oregon In the 2015-16 academic year, students and faculty called for renaming Deady Hall and Dunn Hall, due to the association of Matthew P. Deady and Frederick S. Dunn with the infamous history of race relations in Oregon in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. President Michael Schill initially appointed a committee of administrators, faculty, and students to develop criteria for evaluating whether either of the names should be stripped from campus buildings. Once the criteria were established, President Schill assembled a panel of three historians to research the history of Deady and Dunn to guide his decision-making. The committee consists of David Alan Johnson, the foremost authority on the history of the Oregon Constitutional Convention and author of Founding the Far West: California, Oregon, Nevada, 1840-1890 (1992); Quintard Taylor, the leading historian of African Americans in the U.S. West and author of several books, including In Search of the Racial Frontier: African Americans in the American West, 1528-1990 (1998); and Marsha Weisiger, author of several books, including Dreaming of Sheep in Navajo Country (2009). Other historians have written about Matthew Deady and Frederick Dunn; although we were familiar with them, we began our work looking at the primary sources—that is, the historical record produced by Deady, Dunn, and their contemporaries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Costco Connection
    Earth man Earth Day leader Denis Hayes wants to help save the world by changing the way we build PAGE 32 Holding your own business event 29 Easy freezer meals 36 CostcoJANUARY 2016 Tire eCenters Costco Connection 94 1 USpC1_Cover_Denis_Hayes_Torrance.indd 1 3/18/16 7:07 AM cover story Environmentalist Denis Hayes creates a living building Building OUR DIGITAL EDITIONS Click here to see Denis Hayes the talking about the Bullitt Center. future (See page 11 for details.) RICK DAHMS By Steve Fisher SUSTAINABILITY. IT’S A word that has was kind of destroying the gorge, clear-cut- pus teach-ins on civil rights and on the war in achieved a high level of visibility and desirabil- ting the forest that I hiked all around in as I Vietnam had created the scenes that ulti- ity worldwide. In a 2012 speech, United Nations was growing up,” he recalls. “I woke up every mately grew into movements around those Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Ours is single morning with a sore throat because of issues. And he thought that might make a world of looming challenges and increasingly uncontrolled sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sense for environmental and conservation limited resources. Sustainable development sulfide [from the mill]. Every now and then issues as well.” offers the best chance to adjust our course.” there’d be a major water-pollution excursion Nelson proposed an environmental Among those at the forefront of sustain- into the Columbia, and you’d look out and teach-in on college campuses in April 1970. able development is Costco member Denis [see] thousands and thousands of dead fish.
    [Show full text]
  • The Regental Laureates Distinguished Presidential
    REPORT TO CONTRIBUTORS Explore the highlights of this year’s report and learn more about how your generosity is making an impact on Washington and the world. CONTRIBUTOR LISTS (click to view) • The Regental Laureates • Henry Suzzallo Society • The Distinguished Presidential Laureates • The President’s Club • The Presidential Laureates • The President’s Club Young Leaders • The Laureates • The Benefactors THE REGENTAL LAUREATES INDIVIDUALS & ORGANIZATIONS / Lifetime giving totaling $100 million and above With their unparalleled philanthropic vision, our Regental Laureates propel the University of Washington forward — raising its profile, broadening its reach and advancing its mission around the world. Acknowledgement of the Regental Laureates can also be found on our donor wall in Suzzallo Library. Paul G. Allen & The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Microsoft DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENTIAL LAUREATES INDIVIDUALS & ORGANIZATIONS / Lifetime giving totaling $50 million to $99,999,999 Through groundbreaking contributions, our Distinguished Presidential Laureates profoundly alter the landscape of the University of Washington and the people it serves. Distinguished Presidential Laureates are listed in alphabetical order. Donors who have asked to be anonymous are not included in the listing. Acknowledgement of the Distinguished Presidential Laureates can also be found on our donor wall in Suzzallo Library. American Heart Association The Ballmer Group Boeing The Foster Foundation Jack MacDonald* Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Washington Research Foundation * = Deceased Bold Type Indicates donor reached giving level in fiscal year 2016–2017 1 THE PRESIDENTIAL LAUREATES INDIVIDUALS & ORGANIZATIONS / Lifetime giving totaling $10 million to $49,999,999 By matching dreams with support, Presidential Laureates further enrich the University of Washington’s top-ranked programs and elevate emerging disciplines to new heights.
    [Show full text]
  • Colonnade Hotel/Gatewood Apartments 1900/1911
    Colonnade Hotel/Gatewood Apartments 1900/1911 107 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 197570-0600 A. A. DENNY’S 3RD ADD. 26 1 & 4 LOTS 1 AND 4 BLOCK 26, ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS LAID OUT BY A. A. DENNY, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A. A. DENNY’S 3RD ADDITION TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RE- CORDED IN VOLUME 1 OF PLATS P. 33, IN KING COUNTY WASHINGTON, EXCEPT THE WESTERLY 9 FEET THERE- OF HERETOFORE CONDEMNED IN DISTRICT COURT COUSE NUMBER 7092 FOR WIDENING OF FIRST AVENUE, AS PROVIDED UNDER ORDINANCE NUMBER 1129 OF CITY OF SEATTLE; EXCEPT FOR THE NORTHWESTERLY 7 FEET OF SAID LOT 1 HERETOFORE CONDEMNED IN KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT CAUSE NUMBER 57057 FOR THE WIDENING OF PINE STREET AS PROVIDED UNDER ORDINANCE NUMBER 14500 OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE. Lighthouse Investments LLC vacant 1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 508, Los Angeles CA 90035 Stimson Brothers SRO Hotel Charles Bebb Matthew Dow Ramin Kolahi 1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 508, Los Angeles CA 90035 (310) 556-1600 November 2016 Colonnade Hotel/Gatewood Apartments Landmark Nomination Report 107 Pine Street, Seattle, WA November 2016 Prepared by: The Johnson Partnership 1212 NE 65th Street Seattle, WA 98115-6724 206-523-1618, www.tjp.us Colonnade Hotel/Gatewood Apartments Landmark Nomination Report November 2016, page i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Broadcasting Dec 5
    The Fifth Estate Broadcasting Dec 5 , " TAKING ADVANTAGE ;:jir ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT zAr TAXI "vor 171 % to all of our friends who have helped us give the gift of entertainment all year round. TELEVISION DOMESTIC DISTRISLIIION FAMILY TIES CHEERS Zi WEBSTER AIR UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ACT U. S. PfCE PROPERTY our winn ng combination for ereo o NrcAn.L u r, 19,iiii,;¡.?" PWATrvr RIGHT St uannv ou CONTINENTAL ELECTRONICS TYPE PMX]MT AM STEREO MOO. MONITOR J._ J J i l L . ,a. .. .. a, a, s .. ; ' . L..IL cu.1u ¡ SET TO TOO 1 `r- Iii) o i LnT. 0ENWT w OUTPUT wwi ILLLLIIO o.0 ó C l: WTN LILVi 7.14t7,:' O .O, eEeos uiñN Mw T . HIM, L.Tp . O OIf LLT O iii? Mi." L.I OLYOO 40 111 .., ,] N I .- .... .._- ^'vC .-vcm .v .. '''''i Is AM Stereo ready to move up? Hearing is believing. on -air reliability with complete Market -place decisions With the PMX System, AM Stereo transparency. notwithstanding, the recent music sounds like FM Stereo Ultimately, the day -to-day introduction of receivers able to music. So it makes for higher operation of your AM Stereo decode signals from any of the four listener appeal and better System will depend upon systems in use today makes it numbers: For audience and the equipment and service. easier for broadcasters to move bottom line. We stand on our track record of ahead with AM Stereo plans. The Winning Combination providing the best of both. Which system is #1? Our Type 302A Exciter, developed If you're considering AM Stereo, or The PMX (Magnavox) System was for the PMX System, and our new if you just want more facts, give us first selected by the FCC to be the Type PMX -SM I AM Stereo a call.
    [Show full text]
  • SRSF Annual Report
    Annual Report 2019-2020 Dear Seattle Rotary Service Foundation Supporters, Rotarians, and Friends of Rotary, It has been my honor to serve on the Seattle Rotary Service Foundation (SRSF) Board of Directors as President for 2019-2020. What a challenging and exciting year we have had! Prior to the global pandemic, our annual campaign was held and we successfully exceeded our campaign goal of $225,000. The tremendous leadership of our campaign co-chairs, Lynn Lindsay and Tom Mesaros, an extra effort from the SRSF Board, and a tremen- dous matching gift from long-time Rotarian, Carl Behnke, helped us to exceed our goal! Other highlights of the campaign included: an average donation of $781 with 83% member participation; 115 members donated at the Pinkham and Skeel level and 17 members donated at the President’s Circle level. Due to this successful campaign along with matching gifts and grants, a total of $494,855 was distributed through club service com- mittee and special project grants. When the pandemic initially devastated Washington State, the SRSF Board acted extremely quickly and unani- mously in voting to distribute $100,000 of reserve funds to the Seattle Foundation’s COVID 19 Response Fund for emergency support for families and workers. The SRSF Board again acted quickly in supporting two $5,000 grants for the purchase of masks for our first-responders and hospital workers and $5,000 to match club mem- ber donations for local food banks to help those in need during this unprecedented time. SRSF has continued throughout this year to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to administer matching grants to Rotary clubs contributing to the eradication of malaria and the Rotarian Malaria Partners.
    [Show full text]
  • MEDIATRIX 1986 Seattle Radio Profile
    M E D I A T R I X M A R K E T P R O F Il_ E e S E A T T L E VOLUh'1E 1 NUMBER 9 www.americanradiohistory.com www.americanradiohistory.com 1 MEDIATRIX MARKET PROFILE: Seattle Volume 1 Number 9 t Written & Edited by: ROLLYE BORNSTEIN (JAMES) Published by: Mediatrix, Inc. 1350 Lawrence Street Suite 4 -D Denver, CO 80204 (303) 893 -0700 © 1988. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this material may be Ireproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. Mediatrix Market Profiles are distributed through yearly subscription at the rate of $395. In addition to the Profies, subscribers also receive a comprehensive Annual publication and automatic membership in the IITelephone Retrieval Network. A limited number of single copies of this issue are available at the rate of $95.00 each. www.americanradiohistory.com www.americanradiohistory.com 1 MEDIATRIX, INC. Dear Radio Friend: I to have this profile When I left for Seattle on June 1, 1987, vowed and done by July -- August at the absolute latest. Well, it's August it's done. Unfortunately it's August, 1988. it would To explain what has gone on in my life during the past year, and take a volume larger than the one in which this letter is contained, to frankly it would be a boring, if not unbelievable, read. Suffice it A say that at this point, apologies for my tardiness are superfluous. restatement of my commitment, however, is not. to find a In the fall of '86 when it became obvious that I would have my goal then, steady source of income to support myself -- and Mediatrix, would not as it remains now, was to become involved in something which find the right detrimental to this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter from the President and Director
    LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR By every important measure, fiscal year 2013 was a remarkable year for Exhibitions, who joined the Frye team this year and curated imaginative, the Frye Art Museum. We were recognized with the 2013 Mayor’s Arts rigorously researched, and deeply felt exhibitions including Chamber Music, Award in the new category Venture Culturist. This award honors the featuring newly commissioned artwork from thirty-six Seattle artists, and contribution of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and community Buster Simpson: Surveyor, the widely admired first museum retrospective of a members who make Seattle an internationally recognized city of creativity Seattle-based artist whose work has had global influence. and innovation. The Frye Founding Collection remains at the heart of our mission and is In 2013 the Raynier Institute & Foundation awarded the Frye Art Museum | the impetus for historical exhibitions based on new scholarship such as Artist Trust Consortium a $1.1 million grant to continue and deepen our this year’s well-attended retrospective, Nicolai Fechin, as well as Franz von commitment to exceptional artists of Washington State through grants, Stuck, the exhibition with which we entered 2014 showing masterworks professional development, exhibitions, and publications. This five-year on loan from leading museums and private collections in Europe and the initiative will provide an unprecedented level of recognition and support United States. for our artistic community. Exceptional artistic production will be made Photo: T. J. Johnson possible by freeing artists to advance their creative work which will then None of these ambitious initiatives would be possible without the be showcased at the Frye.
    [Show full text]
  • Elks for Children's Hospital History
    This is a story of a lady, a wife and a mother with a need, driven by the death of a very young son; a vision and a dream she had for all children, and finally, the dream becoming a reality. This is also how the Washington State Elks Association became involved with Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, Seattle. By Robert W. Newberry – Lake City Lodge #1800 BIRTHDAY BUCKS Chairman References: a. “A Place for the Children” by Emilie B. Schwabacher b. WSEA historical document printed for Ballard Lodge #827 c. WSEA Therapy Program Manual Mrs. Anna Clise, with her husband James and their daughter Ruth, came to Seattle from Denver, Colorado, in 1889. They had a son, Willis, who died of inflammatory rheumatism. After a visit to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital to consult with her cousin, Dr. John Musser, who was the President of the American Medical Association and who established a hospital ward for crippled children; he told Anna “There’s nothing so important to be done as service to children. Look about and see what is being done for them in your state. Find out what is not being done that is necessary and worthy, and do just that.” When Anna returned to Seattle she learned that there was no care available for crippled children. She then related her impressions and ideas to James and two of their close friends who soon shared her resolve. For the next nine years, true to her Mennonite training, Anna researched the potential of a children’s hospital. As a determined mother who had a child pass away for lack of available medical care, Anna decided to improve life for Seattle’s sick and crippled children.
    [Show full text]
  • May 2019 Print
    NW REporter Serving More Than 29,000 Real Estate Professionals in the Northwest May 2019 LATEST NEWS RELEASE Northwest MLS housing report for April signals good news for home buyers KIRKLAND, Washington (May 6, 2019) – Housing activity during April signaled good news for buyers in Western Washington as inventory continued to grow, the rate of price increases was slowing in many areas (and even decreasing in a few counties), and mortgage rates remained low. Northwest Multiple Listing Service statistics for last month show a 28.5 percent overall increase in active listings compared to the same month a year ago, a 5.8 percent gain in pending sales, and a 2.4 percent rise in median prices for sales of single family homes and condos that closed during April. The volume of closings dipped slightly (down 1.9 percent). “Listings were popping up like April flowers and the bloom has produced a vibrant and healthy market,” exclaimed MLS director John Deely, principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain. “With an increased supply of listing inventory, low interest rates, and a positive economic climate, buyers are confident that this is a good time to buy,” he reported, while noting a larger number of buyers are opting out of competing with other buyers. “This year’s buyers and sellers are approaching the market with more caution and a focus on an analytical, versus emotional approach that has ruled the last several years,” Deely said. Northwest MLS members added 11,697 new listings to inventory during April for a year-over-year gain of nearly 3.8 percent.
    [Show full text]
  • Kuow / Puget Sound Public Radio
    A of a KUOW / PUGET SOUND PUBLIC RADIO 2013 ANNUAL REPORT TO CONTRIBUTORS ON BEHALF OF THE KUOW STAFF AND BOARD I am pleased to present this report to our community of listeners and supporters. As displayed elsewhere in this document, KUOW continues to expand its public service mission with compelling radio programming, comprehensive online services, and an engaged board of directors. Record high levels of community support funds the enrichment of local news and information offerings and the creation of new initiatives. A Special Thanks to PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER 1 In the last decade, our professional news staff tripled to 34, making KUOW one of the largest radio newsrooms in the Pacific Northwest. Now in its 11th year of operation, the Northwest News Network (N3), a collaboration of nine stations in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, demonstrates how public radio stations, large and small, are leveraging a modest amount of their community support into a significant community service. KUOW is a founding member and managing partner of this regional network. One of the most important and tangible measures of community service is the civic participation on the KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio (PSPR) board of directors. Now in its 14th year, PSPR operates KUOW-FM Seattle, KUOW 5 Olympia and KQOW Bellingham under an agreement with the University of LOCALLY Washington, licensee of the stations. Since its inception, PSPR has benefited PRODUCED greatly from the leadership of 47 dedicated community members who have PROGRAMS served on its board of directors. KUOW’s success depends upon a strong, independent community board whose sole purpose is to provide support and continuity for its public service.
    [Show full text]
  • 1963 Journal
    : : .. OCTOBER TERM, 1963 STATISTICS Original Appellate Miscella- Total neous Number of cases on dockets. _ 9 1, 238 1, 532 2, 779 Cases disposed of 2 1, 036 1, 374 2, 412 Remaining on dockets 7 202 158 367 Cases disposed of—Appellate Docket By written opinions 123 By per curiam opinions or orders 180 By motion to dismiss or per stipulation (merits cases) 0 By denial or dismissal of petitions for certiorari 733 Cases disposed of—Miscellaneous Docket By written opinions 0 By denial or dismissal of petitions for certiorari 1, 093 By denial or withdrawal of other applications 180 By granting of other applications 1 By per curiam dismissal of appeals 30 By other per curiam opinions or orders 59 By transfer to Appellate Docket 11 Number of written opinions 111 Number of printed per curiam opinions 20 Number of petitions for certiorari granted (Appellate) 118 Number of appeals in which jurisdiction was noted or postponed 31 Number of admissions to bar 3, 184 REFERENCE INDEX GENERAL: Court convened October 7, 1963 and adjourned June 22, 1964. Members of Court attended funeral of President Kennedy (not in session) (November 25, 1963) Court attended Joint Session of Congress to hear President Johnson's Message following President Kennedy's death (not in session) (November 27, 1963) : : — II GENEEAL—Continued Page Douglas, J., Eemarks by Attorney General and response by Chief Justice on occasion of completion of 25 full terms as Associate Justice (April 20, 1964) 271 Eeed, J., Designated and assigned to U.S. Court of Claims 2 Wyatt, Walter, Appointed
    [Show full text]