Southwestern Bell at HemisFair (1968)

Duration: 1:16

Year Published: 1968

Sound: No Sound on Film

Description: This March 29 news segment for Houston’s KPRC-TV gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Southwestern Bell pavilion opening at HemisFair ‘68 in San Antonio the following week. The footage appears silent here, as it would have been voiced over by the anchorperson during a live broadcast. The company first jazzes up its ribbon-cutting ceremony by incorporating the classic saw-a-woman-in-half magic trick. Employees then tour the exhibition, testing out telephones and marveling at a picturephone live demonstration.