By 1958, the bulky floor-model radios of the 40s were being replaced by portable transistor models. The archive likely contains footage of these technical milestones, which CHRS experts like Bart Lee have documented extensively, from "Wireless Wagons" to the opening of NBC Radio City in San Francisco. What’s Inside the Archive?
Based on the Society's ongoing Electrical Transcription Project , a file like this would typically include: CHRS_old_vids_45-58.zip
Following the war, radio was still the king of the American living room. The California Historical Radio Society preserves records from this time, such as technical restorations of 1948 Meissner FM Tuners and DuMont vintage TVs, which represent the first wave of high-fidelity sound and early consumer television. By 1958, the bulky floor-model radios of the
In the decade following World War II, the airwaves underwent a radical shift. This archive captures the "Missing Link" years where radio stars became TV icons and local San Francisco broadcasting established its legendary roots. This archive captures the "Missing Link" years where
If you are looking to explore these archives further, the CHRS YouTube channel hosts over 240 videos documenting this specific evolution of media technology.
The mid-50s were defined by the emergence of Bay Area broadcasting giants. CHRS maintains a Living Legends video series featuring interviews and footage from the very people who built the industry during this window.