Radio

In the 1920s, radio became a major form of entertainment and communication. Families everywhere gathered around the radio, tuning in to hear their favorite programs, like Jack Benny, or listen to the news. In 1939, stunned listeners were frozen in fear as they heard reports of aliens landing during the nationwide broadcast of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds.
1. In 1920 WKY of Oklahoma City received the license, becoming one of the first radio stations in the United States, as well as the first west of the Mississippi River.
2. WKY's first news, weather, and sports for broadcast was provided by E. K. Gaylord's OPUBCO, which later bought the radio station.
3. KVOO of Tulsa began in 1924 as KFRU in Bristow and was later purchased by oliman W. G. Skelly.
4. Gene Autry, the "Oklahoma Yodeling Cowboy," got his start with KVOO in the 1920s while Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys entertained on WKY and KVOO in the 1930s.

Stars In Every Househood

In 1936 only 200 television sets were used worldwide. Within ten years, there were roughly 7,000 working TV sets in America, but by 1953, the number of TV hoseholds grew to 20 million. Living rooms across America were invaded by variety shows like the "Ed Sullivan Show" and "Texaco Star Theater", children shows like "Howdy Doody" and "Captain Kangaroo" and TV sitcoms like "I Love Lucy", "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza." Through television, stars were born like Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Uncle Milty, George Burns and Gracie Allen. The "Today Show" was broadcasted live from the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds during the semi-centennial in 1957.
1. WKY-TV in Oklahoma City and KOTV in Tulsa were Oklahoma's first commercial television stations and began operations in 1949.
2. The FCC authorized CBS's color television technology as the national standard in 1950 and began color broadcasting on the east coast in 1951.
3. WKY-TV was the first local affilate in the nation to receive the installation of color equipment, and the first color cast program in Oklahoma aired June 8, 1954.
4. The ED Sullivan Show premiered in 1948 and ran for 23 years.
5. In 1956, Ed Sullivan scoffed at the idea of booking Elvis Presley on his show, but when he finally gave in. Elvis' appearance broke rating records.
6. The Tonight Show Premiered in 1954.
7. First TV remote control was invented in 1956.