1022 - 1029 WSB EVENTS

1922-1929 WSB EVENTS

It is estimated that early in 1922 there were about 1,000 homemade radio receivers in Atlanta and its vicinity. At that time, however, there were no broadcasting stations in the South. Radio fans of the region had to content themselves with the reception of alternate whisperings and squawks of some up East stations they picked up on their makeshift tube and crystal sets. On the evening of March 15, 1922, these hopeful listeners were thrilled to hear the "Light Cavalry Overture" coming through their earphones and loud-speakers. This surprise broadcast was the initial program of the Atlanta Journal's radio station, just authorized by a telegram from the acting Secretary of Commerce received that same afternoon. Operating with call letters formerly assigned to a ship's wireless, WSB set the first of many precedents which were to establish it as one of the leading stations in the country. Even before entering the field of broadcasting the Journal had published many articles instructing amateurs how to build receiving sets. A sound truck equipped with receiving apparatus cruised the city, and loud-speakers were set up in Piedmont and Grant Parks.

With the inauguration of its own station, the Journal immediately began a series of important innovations. WSB was the first station in America to adopt a slogan, "The Voice of the South", and early in its career it originated a mechanical effect for station identification, the famed chimes intoning the first three notes of "Over There". A musical signature was later adopted by the National Broadcasting Company. Night programs were not given in those early days, but WSB took the initiative here by introducing a 10:45 P.M. transcontinental broadcast. The Journal's station also led the field in employing radio as an educational medium by effecting a city-wide installation of radio receivers in the public schools and transmitting daily programs as an integral part of school work and also by establishing "WSB's University of the Air" a daily schedule of broadcasts conducted by the faculties of Georgia Tech, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, and Cox College. Radio broadcasters and listeners were on more informal terms in 1922 than is the case today, and WSB, always alert to please its fans, organized radio's first fraternity of listeners, the "WSB Radiowls".

The fact that all of these "firsts" were originated before its initial year of broadcasting was completed is indicative of the progressive spirit of the station's general manager, Lambdin Kay, known as "The Little Colonel" throughout the world of radio. Kay persuaded many celebrities to make their first radio broadcasts over WSB microphones. Among these were Otis Skinner, Ephraim Zimbalist, Alma Gluck, Rudolph Valentino, and Rosa Ponselle. Miss Ponselle, after singing two numbers during an informal broadcast, was so awed and excited by the new medium that she heartily joined the studio audience's applause, explaining that is was "the first time I have ever had the chance to applaud myself and not seem immodest." Henry Ford, Octavus Roy Cohen, and Roger W. Babson are a few of the other noted personages who made their acquaintance with radio at WSB in the early years of broadcasting.

WSB grew rapidly from it's opening in 1922 and hastily constructed and cramped quarters on the roof of the Journal building to capacious studios in the Biltmore Hotel in 1925. The station also grew in power increasing wattage from a mere 100 watts to 500 watts June 13, 1922. WSB entered the field of commercial broadcasting when it became affiliated with the National Broadcasting Company in 1927. This was a definite recognition of the stations' accomplishments in the radio world, and WSB is now regarded as one of the most important links in this national chain of stations.

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March 15, 1922 – WSB Radio makes its debut broadcast.

March 23, 1922 - Fiddlin' John Carson's famous song Little Old Log Cabin is broadcast on WSB Radio.

April 16, 1922 - WSB is the first radio station in the United States to broadcast a complete church service.

June 13, 1922 - WSB increases it's power to 500 watts and a listener in Pennsylvania christens it, "The Voice of The South".

1922 - Henry Ford requests a tour of WSB while in Atlanta.

December 8, 1922 - WSB broadcasts the first radio wedding.

1923 - Rudolph Valentino appears on WSB

March 29, 1925 - WSB Radio studios move to Atlanta's Biltmore Hotel.

1926 - WSB is the first radio station to provide broadcast service for an entire school system.

January 9, 1927 - WSB becomes a charter affiliate of The National Broadcasting company, and began airing advertising.

1929 - WSB built a new tower and transmitter building in the East Lake section of Atlanta and increased it's power to 5,000 watts.

RETURN TO 1922-1929 DECADE