LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS
"To Every Ear in a Multitude"
With new technological developments in both aviation and radio occurring rapidly and simultaneously, it should be no surprise that the aviation weekly Aerial Age would also be reporting on advances in radio in 1922. Before the $50,000 in start-up funds for WNYC was even approved, the magazine clued its readers into the requested appropriation:
"The appropriation covers not alone the broadcasting station, but many portable receiving stations that may be set up quickly in the parks and other places where crowds gather---these receiving stations to have sufficient amplifying apparatus to carry to every ear in a multitude.
"When the station is going, and the Mayor or one of the department heads wants to say something without using the medium of the public prints--presto! He calls for his radio crew, orders the receiving sets put up in all the boroughs, talks into the mouthpiece of his office telephone and the people will hear his own words in his own voice.
"All the important orders and directions of the Fire, Health and Police Departments are to be broadcast from the Municipal Station. Whenever a distinguished visitor from abroad calls to pay his respects to the Mayor, the freedom of the broadcasting chamber is to be conferred upon him, so that the feted stranger may address not only a populace of newsboys in front of City Hall steps, but many thousands of citizens elsewhere.
"Lest the appropriation be regarded as an extravagance, in view of the many broadcasting stations now keeping citizens listening close to home, this economy feature was mentioned, with suitable cheers at the [Mayoral radio] committee's meeting:
"One band will do for all parks! One really good band may be hired instead of several lesser bands. The amplifying apparatus will do the trick."
Source: "New York Mayor Requests Radio Appropriation," Aerial Age, May 15, 1922, Vol. 15, No. 10 pg. 234.
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