To celebrate its first four decades, WTIC Radio in Hartford, Connecticut
presented four episodes of "The Broadcaster at Forty", written and
produced by David Wilkinson, as special editions of Dick Bertel's daily
"Americana" program.
Part 1 covers the years between 1924 and 1934, and was broadcast on Monday, February 8, 1965.
Highlights include:
The Travelers Insurance Company's 1924 application for WTIC's license.
Upgrading the power from 500 to 50,000 watts, changing frequencies, sharing time with WBAL in Baltimore, and moving the transmitter to Avon Mountain.
Descriptions of the original studios and transmitting facilities at the Travelers building at 26 Grove Street (Bob Steele Street since 2013).
The development of commercial advertising.
Fred Wade remembering the popularity of Norman Cloutier and the Merry Madcaps as well as how "The Wrightsville Clarion", a comedic serial, was produced.
The 1925 inauguration of President Calvin Coolidge.
Engineer Al Jackson recalling how WTIC conducted an intense schedule of remote broadcasts.
Affiliating with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and carrying its inaugural broadcast.
Bob Steele interviewing A.B. "Art" McGinley, the former host of "Speaking of Sports".
Dick Bertel interviewing Leonard J. Patricelli, WTIC vice president and general manager, and Paul W. Morency, president of Broadcast Plaza Inc., both hired in 1929.
Wire services protecting newspapers from radio competition.
Oscar-winning actor Ed Begley telling George Bowe about performing on "WTIC Playhouse".
Part 3, which covers the years between 1945 and 1954, was broadcast on Thursday, February 11, 1965.
Highlights include:
Hartford mayor William Mortenson on World War II Allies' victory in Europe.
Dr. Andre Schenker, host of "History in the Headlines", interviewing chemical engineer Conrad G. Bacon, a Middletown, Conn. native who worked on the Manhattan Project at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
Bernard Mullins, Bob Steele, Floyd Richards, and Ross Miller reporting from the Old State House on people reacting to the Japanese surrender; V-J Day address by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin.
Staff pianist Laura C. Gaudet playing Franz Schubert's "Rosamunde" on "Songs of Acadia".
1947 recording of assistant general manager Walter Johnson and plant manager Herman Taylor recalling WTIC's 1924 test broadcast and Marie S. Patterson's program "Shopping with Susan" for Betty Pattee, "Radio Bazaar" host, and her husband Floyd Pattee, a WTIC writer and producer.
Rudy Martin and his orchestra playing "Do You Ever Think of Me?"
Bob Tyrol and Floyd Richards hosting "Cinderella Weekend" from the Orchid Room in Ryan's Restaurant.
"Mind Your Manners," an NBC program conducted in Hartford by WTIC announcer Allen Ludden who later hosted the CBS and ABC TV gameshow "Password" from 1961 to 1975.
Farm director Frank Atwood explaining how the WTIC Farm Youth loan program helps boys and girls purchase heifers to establish a herd.
WTIC Radio vice president and general manager Leonard J. Patricelli reminiscing about producing "Songs from New England Colleges".
Ed Anderson reporting on the National Guard 43rd Infantry Division boarding a train to begin its deployment during the Korean War.
Interview of a survivor of an F4 tornado that struck Worcester, Massachusetts on June 9, 1953, killing 94 people and injuring more than 1,000 others.
First lady Mamie Eisenhower christening the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear submarine, at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn.
Striking the bell of the USS Hartford (1858) at the May 11, 1964 dedication of Constitution Plaza with master of ceremonies Herbert J. Kramer, Travelers Insurance vice president.
The Broadcasters Foundation presenting the fifth annual Golden Mike Award to WTIC vice president and general manager Leonard J. Patricelli at The Pierre hotel in New York; Metropolitan Opera coloratura soprano Gianna D'Angelo singing with a 40-piece orchestra conducted by Moshe Paranov, co-founder of the Hartt School of Music and formerly WTIC's musical director.