Story Of Television, The

Creator: Ganz (William J.) Co.

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Shows efforts of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in the creation, development and introduction of the all-electronic TV system, explains how science made television a working reality. David Sarnoff tells of the early research and experiments. Shown is the first successful picture tube, the first experimental TV station, the problems of improving piucture quality and reducing the size and cost of components at the transmitting and receiving ends, and the function of mobile units. Actual scenes from TV "firsts" are included -- President Roosevelt opening the 1939 New York World's Fair, the visit of the King and Queen of England, and the 1940 Republican Convention in Philadelphia. Animated diagrams demonstrate how a TV camera converts electronic beams into a picture.; 03:00:00:00 - 03:56:46:23 B/W Sound 1956; RCA promotional film about television tracing scientific; development of electronic television systems from 1920s to 1950s.; Chairman David Sarnoff & Vladimir Zworykin recount early research; and experiments, honing of picture tubes. Animated diagrams of TV; transmission, reception. TV event "firsts" - President Roosevelt; opening the 1939 New York World's Fair, King and Queen of England; and the 1940 Republican Convention in Philadelphia. Second film-; TV- "A Welcome Guest in The House," narrated by Don Ameche. TV's; role in modern society seen through role in shaping young boy's; goals, imagination. News events, politics, drama, community; advocate, advertiser, bastion of American values & freedom. 3rd; film explains scientific theory of television broadcasting.; 03:00:00:00 - 03:02:17:09 B/W Sound 1956; Title on simulated TV screen. VO: "The signature of every century has been its skyline." VS architectural landmarks. Ancient- Egyptian sphinx, Old- Greek Acropolis, Roman ruins, Medieval- cathedral Modern- New York City skyline. PAN TV antennas on suburban houses. "Metal fingers beckoning to the invisible...Our era- the era of television." Young woman climbs hill, looks out over landscape. "The dream of television has persisted for centuries." Devices to extend range of human eyesight- binoculars, giant telescopes. "Could man fling pictures to the sky and gather them at a distant point.; 03:02:17:10 - 03:05:26:18 B/W Sound 1956; TU RCA building New York City. "Two men took up this challenge (in; the 1920s). They shared the irresistible dream of television.; David Sarnoff- RCA Chairman of The Board, Dr. Vladymir Zworykin-; inventor of modern electronic television. Sarnoff recalls their; first meeting when Zworykin proposed idea for television; development. "You were an excellent salesman- and I was a good; dreamer." They discuss cost of RCA's development, value. Sarnoff; We've extended our sight far beyond the horizon." Original picture; tube on desk. Zworykin shows him modern "grandchild" of original; electronic tube. Sarnoff: reduce costs of television so that "color; television may be within the reach of everyone.; 03:05:26:19 - 03:06:07:07 B/W Sound 1956; VO host. Television tube development. CU original 1923 iconoscope; developed by Zworykin. Changed from early disk system. Modern; orthicon from television camera. Kinescope first developed in 1929.; Larger kinescope. Animated cross-section diagram of TV camera.; Process of light refraction, electromagnetic beam scanning picture; of dancing girl. Signals broadcast through antenna tower.; Cross-section of receiving TV set reassembling picture w/; kinescope.; 03:06:07:08 - 03:09:30:15 B/W Sound 1956; Empire State Building, NYC. VO- In 1931, National Broadcasting; Company erects antenna on top of building for RCA. RCA refined; scanning lines for greater detail. 1937- RCA NBC mobile TV; broadcasting vans. Two men place large boxy TV camera on tripod.; Engineers monitor signal in control room of van.; 03:09:30:16 - 03:11:35:20 B/W Sound ca. 1939; New York World's Fair 1939. World's Fair logo flag waves.; Television debuts at fair. VS RCA exhibit building. (still) David; Sarnoff at podium. "We have added radio sight to sound." First; president televised- FDR officially opens the World of Tomorrow.; King & Queen of England take televised tour. Other TV milestones-; NBC televises first baseball game- August 1939, 1940 political; conventions, Two cameramen prepare camera, subject for TV shoot.; 03:11:35:21 - 03:13:15:05 B/W Sound ca. 1941; Spinning newspaper headlines. VO ho From the series 1941- WWII declared. RCA; research center, Princeton, NJ. VS Scientists experiment w/; electronic components- meters, lab equipment. Military products-; sonar for submarines, night vision sniper-scope, 1945- Japan; surrenders- VJ, VE day celebrations in streets. 1949- first TV; presidential inauguration of Harry Truman.; 03:13:15:06 - 03:14:45:11 B/W Silent 1956; Male & female workers on assembly lines in television factory-; putting electronics in cases, boxing sets. Fleet of TV service; trucks w/ ladders on roofs in parking lot. VO ho From the series "TV has entered; our homes, our lives... an exhilarating component of our American; way of life." VS antennas, transmitters. B&W as foundation for; color TV.