Faded, flickering, small black-and-white images - that was television during the 1940s. This technological innovation would change American culture and society forever. Television allowed Americans to see much of what they had been hearing on radio for years. Although television broadcasting began in 1928, World War II delayed additional technological developments and full-scale programming.

After the war, television sets became more readily available and regular shows began to appear on two networks, NBC and DuMont (which folded in 1955). Most early television shows were seen in New York only, but the possibility of networking, as in radio, was pursued from the beginning. In 1946 and 1947, only a few scheduled programs such as the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (NBC), Cash and Carry (a DuMont quiz show), and Faraway Hills (a DuMont soap opera) appeared in prime time.

By 1948 the public's demand for televisions and more programming was unprecedented. In that year 800,000 homes had televisions, and by 1950 that number had increased to more than eight million. With average family income less than $3,000 a year at the end of the decade, Americans were spending an average of $500 for some 100,000 televisions per week. Four networks broadcast nationally with a full slate of prime-time programming, which included The Chesterfield Supper Club, Candid Camera, Texaco Star Theatre, wrestling, and Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour.

WLW in Cincinnati was Ohio's first television station. Its mobile unit, shown here, was also the first in the state. These mobile units made live broadcasts from remote non-transmitting locations possible.

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