Documents
Creating NOVA (1971-76)
From Michael Ambrosino: Science is a part of our heritage, our present culture, and a major force in determining our future. Its absence from television [in the 1970s], spoke to the ignorance of many of its gatekeepers…. Science, medicine, technology, engineering, architecture all impact our culture by determining how we live our lives!
Read MoreProposal for The Science Program Group for Public Television (1973)
From the American Association for the Advancement of Science: Mr. Ambrosino’s report outlines the plan for the creation of a science programming group for public television.
Read MoreThe foundations of WGBH: 84 Mass. Ave.
From Don Hallock: Many extraordinarily-gifted figures and luminaries of the day — in the arts, science, politics and education — found their ways into the halls and studios of the original WGBH-TV/FM studios at 84 Massachusetts Avenue.
Read MoreRecording Buckminster Fuller (1963)
This facilities request was found in a 2” videotape box as this program, featuring the renowned architect/inventor Buckminster Fuller, was being dubbed in 2010 to a modern tape format.
Read MoreClassic Theatre (1975)
Nat: And I was extremely pleased and proud that Joan did such an extraordinary work in producing this series, the likes of which we will never see again. I was Director of the NEH Media Program which provided principle funding for this series
Read MoreShooting Symphony
Skip Wareham on camera (Click to enlarge)
Read MoreThe King of Instruments
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Read MoreNam June Paik & WGBH New Television Workshop 1971
New York Exhibition, December, 1971
Read MoreWGBH Program Guide – November, 1973
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Read MoreProgram Guide – June 1965
From the program guide This issue of the Program Guide is part of the continuing effort to celebrate the beginning of a new era for WGBH. On May 1 the new building was formally dedicated to WGBH President Ralph Lowell. On May 23, we had an Open House and this Guide was made ready for…
Read MorePrimeTime 25th Anniversary (1980)
On the 25th Anniversary of the station, PrimeTime, the WGBH house organ, presented a Special Collector’s Issue in May 1980. Download: Prime-Time (2 MB PDF document)
Read MoreWGBH Timeline (1946-1978)
From “The first 24 years: A somewhat random compendium of milestones along the way” 1836 John Lowell Jr., leaves a bequest creating free “public lectures for the benefit of the citizens of Boston.” 1946 The Lowell Institute forms a cooperative venture with six Boston colleges (spearheaded by Ralph Lowell) to broadcast educational programs on commercial…
Read MoreOn-Air (1979)
From Don Hallock Ever wondered what it takes to put on a public television or radio production? Well, here’s a glance behind the scenes (as if you needed one). It was originally prepared as a 1979 issue of the WGBH publication ON AIR. In this context, the entire tract functions, as well, as an attractive…
Read MoreAmpex Video Simulcasting (1970)
From Joe Pugliesi According to Benny Krol, who worked this system, this newsletter is from late 69 or early 70. Boston’s WGBH, first to use videotape recording for educational broadcasting, is probably also the first station to broadcast stereophonic FM sound synchronized with a video presentation… The Foundation established itself as a technological leader in…
Read MoreFriends in Need (1962)
From the Boston Sunday Globe TV Week — April 29, 1962 From the collection of Al Hinderstein Dave Davis and Greg Harney on the far right, Hindy with the camera on the roof of the bus. (This picture was taken at the 84 Mass. Ave. site. That’s the charred TV master control console in front…
Read MoreFragments from a Flyer (1950s)
From Dave Nohling Dave Nohling has contributed these pieces from a very early, though unidentified, WGBH publication. They show images from some programs you might well have forgotten. Above: “Joseph Spear’s basic math and Northeastern Univ. summer TV credit course.” “TV courses in French and Spanish with Language Research, Inc.; Harvard’s basic Russian on radio-TV.”…
Read MoreStaff Organization Chart (1958)
From Dave Nohling
Read MoreDave Davis’ “Creativity” Memo (1958)
From the collection of Dave Nohling Click on the images to see the original memo. Read the text, below. Memorandum July 23, 1958 To: TV producer-directors From: David M. Davis Subject: Creativity I have a great concern that we are not all utilizing the creative imagination that we have to make our programs interesting, stimulating,…
Read MoreIn the Ille Novi – excerpts (1958)
From Paul Noble The following are excerpts from the Ille Novi collection. These “underground” newsletters were circulated from mid-1958 to mid-1961, and edited by the Queen (Jean Brady) and Paul Noble. September 1, 1958 (from Vol. 1, No. 2) Videotape Works! On Tuesday, July 29th, Jean Brady’s image was recorded on videotape at WGBH-TV, making…
Read More“The Sight and Sound of Learning” (1958)
From Dave Nohling Don Hallock: This brochure has likely not seen the light of day for more than 40 years. And this could well be the only copy. The two wonderful photos show Ruth Ann Flaherty and a young guest on Ruth Ann’s Camp, and Boston Museum of Fine Arts Director, Perry Rathbone, on Museum…
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