ADDENDUM: (Click each image above for larger view. Last three images click on twice for expanded view). This article first appeared in print in the Detroit News, Sunday Magazine, August 16, 1970. Written by News Television and Radio critic Frank Judge. Special thanks goes out to Jim Heddle for providing Motor City Radio Flashbacks with this Detroit News magazine featured article on WWJ-AM radio from 43 years ago!
From the MCRFB radio scrapbook: 1945
World’s First Radio Station Celebrates 25th Birthday
DETROIT, August 25 — A quarter century ago, commercial* radio broadcasting began. On August 20, 1920, the “billion year silence of the ether” was broken by WWJ, originally 8MK, The Detroit News radio station.
Many broadcasting “firsts” followed.
WWJ was America’s first commercial radio station to broadcast daily programs. First to broadcast election returns. First to broadcast World Series results. First to broadcast a complete symphony concert. First to organize a broadcasting orchestra.
Throughout 25 years of existence, WWJ has maintained its leadership in public service, entertainment and ethnic responsibility. Recently, it demonstrated its initiative by becoming the first station to ban transcribed announcements and transcribed singing commercials. And immediately after Pearl Harbor it eliminated middle commercials from newscasts.
Looking ahead, WWJ established a Frequency Modulation station — WENA — which has been in constant daily operation since May 9, 1941. Ten months ago an application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission for permission to construct a television station.
The pioneering spirit which actuated the establishment of America’s first commercial broadcasting station lives and thrives at WWJ after 25 years of broadcasting in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” END.
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*WWJ acknowledges the pioneering research efforts of such scientists as Dr. Lee de Forest, Dr. Frank Conrad and others operating under experimental and amateur licenses.
WWJ OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE DETROIT NEWS (The Home Newspaper) 950 KILOCYCLES — 5000 WATTS
The GEORGE P. HOLLINGBERY COMPANY, National Representative; NBC BASIC NETWORK
(Information and news source: Billboard; August 25, 1945).