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WGN-TV operated from the organ loft at the Chicago Stadium during its first scheduled telecast at the Golden Gloves fights on March 5, 1948.
WGN-TV operated from the organ loft at the Chicago Stadium during its first scheduled telecast at the Golden Gloves fights on March 5, 1948.
The finals of the Golden Gloves was the first scheduled televised show on WGN-TV with Jack Brickhouse, center at table, as the first voice at the Chicago Stadium on March 5, 1948.
The finals of the Golden Gloves was the first scheduled televised show on WGN-TV with Jack Brickhouse, center at table, as the first voice at the Chicago Stadium on March 5, 1948.
WGN-TV newsreel photographers Fred Giese, on the curb, and Leonard Bartholomew, positioned on the car, shoot pictures in the Loop on March 22, 1948. This photo ran on April 4, 1948 with the announcement in the Tribune that WGN-TV would started its transmission the next day. Both Giese and Bartholomew were the first cameramen appointed to the eight man WGN-TV Newsreel staff. Bartholomew had been a veteran still photographer for the Tribune who earned the nickname
WGN-TV newsreel photographers Fred Giese, on the curb, and Leonard Bartholomew, positioned on the car, shoot pictures in the Loop on March 22, 1948. This photo ran on April 4, 1948 with the announcement in the Tribune that WGN-TV would started its transmission the next day. Both Giese and Bartholomew were the first cameramen appointed to the eight man WGN-TV Newsreel staff. Bartholomew had been a veteran still photographer for the Tribune who earned the nickname “the man who’s late for dinner.”
Spencer Allen, seen here in 1953, was the first news director for WGN-TV when they started in 1948. Allen had been a WGN Radio news reporter and writer since 1938.
Spencer Allen, seen here in 1953, was the first news director for WGN-TV when they started in 1948. Allen had been a WGN Radio news reporter and writer since 1938.
Angel Casey, Chicago model and radio actress, in front of the camera for WGN-TV, circa April 4, 1948.
Angel Casey, Chicago model and radio actress, in front of the camera for WGN-TV, circa April 4, 1948.
The WGN-TV mobile unit shoots pictures of the polar bears at Brookfield Zoo, circa April 23, 1948.
The WGN-TV mobile unit shoots pictures of the polar bears at Brookfield Zoo, circa April 23, 1948.
A model of the post-war television studio is viewed at the Palmer House by G. William Lang, from left, WGN chief engineer; Frank P. Schreiber, WGN general manager; P. C. McCabe of the Austin company which built the model; and J. D. McLean of General Electric company's television equipment division on Aug. 28, 1944.
A model of the post-war television studio is viewed at the Palmer House by G. William Lang, from left, WGN chief engineer; Frank P. Schreiber, WGN general manager; P. C. McCabe of the Austin company which built the model; and J. D. McLean of General Electric company’s television equipment division on Aug. 28, 1944.
The WGN-TV mobile unit in operation on the street as it rehearsed programs for opening tonight at Illinois Street and the WGN Building on April 4, 1948.
The WGN-TV mobile unit in operation on the street as it rehearsed programs for opening tonight at Illinois Street and the WGN Building on April 4, 1948.
Engineers monitor the reception inside WGN's mobile unit at Illinois Street and the WGN building. The unit was put into operation for the opening of WGN-TV on April 4, 1948.
Engineers monitor the reception inside WGN’s mobile unit at Illinois Street and the WGN building. The unit was put into operation for the opening of WGN-TV on April 4, 1948.
A WGN-TV mobile unit is parked outside Wrigley Field for a Cubs game, circa May 8, 1949.
A WGN-TV mobile unit is parked outside Wrigley Field for a Cubs game, circa May 8, 1949.
Spencer Allen of WGN-TV news room, left, and television cameraman William Rockar, right, televising the fire at North Pier Terminal Warehouse from the 6th floor of Tribune Tower on April 22, 1950.
Spencer Allen of WGN-TV news room, left, and television cameraman William Rockar, right, televising the fire at North Pier Terminal Warehouse from the 6th floor of Tribune Tower on April 22, 1950.
Flower Vocational High School student Esther Riff practices a cooking demonstration for the WGN-TV program
Flower Vocational High School student Esther Riff practices a cooking demonstration for the WGN-TV program “Women’s Magazine of the Air”, circa Sept. 19, 1951.
Ukulele playing disc jockey Eddie Hubbard in a promotional picture for his show
Ukulele playing disc jockey Eddie Hubbard in a promotional picture for his show “Catalog Quiz” on WGN-TV, which premiered on Sept. 12, 1949.
J. E. Faragan, program director for WGN-TV, explains the workings of a television camera to Franklin Weinstein, from left, Glen Swanson, Robin Wright, Al Cohen, Roberta Zells, and Gail Gustafson of the Chicago Public Schools' radio workshop, circa Sept. 19, 1951.
J. E. Faragan, program director for WGN-TV, explains the workings of a television camera to Franklin Weinstein, from left, Glen Swanson, Robin Wright, Al Cohen, Roberta Zells, and Gail Gustafson of the Chicago Public Schools’ radio workshop, circa Sept. 19, 1951.
A view of the floating television studio in WGN's building, in Tribune Square, which began operations on Jan. 25, 1950. The studio is 34 by 52 by 22 feet and floats on inflated rubber bags. Air space is provided between the walls and the ceiling and the building proper to eliminate outside noise and vibrations. The cameramen were filming
A view of the floating television studio in WGN’s building, in Tribune Square, which began operations on Jan. 25, 1950. The studio is 34 by 52 by 22 feet and floats on inflated rubber bags. Air space is provided between the walls and the ceiling and the building proper to eliminate outside noise and vibrations. The cameramen were filming “Chicago Cooks with Barbara Barkley,” one of televisions earliest homemakers.
According to the Tribune,
According to the Tribune, “Two ‘dollies’ try out a two-man dolly unit on which the camera can be raised, lowered, and moved,” circa April 4, 1948.
The WGN-TV studios next to Tribune Tower, shown here in 1955 before the station relocated to the Northwest Side.
The WGN-TV studios next to Tribune Tower, shown here in 1955 before the station relocated to the Northwest Side.
Frazier Thomas with the puppets Garfield Goose and Beauregard Burnside III with Thomas' son Jeff, 5, behind the camera at WGN-TV studios, circa June 1958. Garfield Goose and Friends was a popular children's television show that aired from 1955 to 1976.
Frazier Thomas with the puppets Garfield Goose and Beauregard Burnside III with Thomas’ son Jeff, 5, behind the camera at WGN-TV studios, circa June 1958. Garfield Goose and Friends was a popular children’s television show that aired from 1955 to 1976.
Frazier Thomas, right, hosted the WGN-TV produced
Frazier Thomas, right, hosted the WGN-TV produced “Garfield Goose and Friends”, is with his son Jeff, 5, circa June 1958.
Peppy Wonso of Agnes McDonald High School and Bob Dipper of Evergreen Park High dance for the television cameras on May 29, 1956, during Bandstand Matinee, a WGN-TV rock 'n' roll program.
Peppy Wonso of Agnes McDonald High School and Bob Dipper of Evergreen Park High dance for the television cameras on May 29, 1956, during Bandstand Matinee, a WGN-TV rock ‘n’ roll program.
Carol Johnson of Austin High School and Bob Dipper of Evergreen Park High School take a quick look into the camera during WGN-TV's Bandstand Matinee on May 29, 1956. WGN and popular disc jockey Jim Lounsbury hosted the rock 'n' roll show for thousands of gyrating teenagers from 1954 to 1963.
Carol Johnson of Austin High School and Bob Dipper of Evergreen Park High School take a quick look into the camera during WGN-TV’s Bandstand Matinee on May 29, 1956. WGN and popular disc jockey Jim Lounsbury hosted the rock ‘n’ roll show for thousands of gyrating teenagers from 1954 to 1963.
Teenager's dance to rock 'n' roll in the main studio at WGN-TV during an hour-long radio show called the
Teenager’s dance to rock ‘n’ roll in the main studio at WGN-TV during an hour-long radio show called the “Hi-Fi Club” on April 16, 1959.
Bob Newhart hams it up at the WGN-TV studio in 1960.
Bob Newhart hams it up at the WGN-TV studio in 1960.
Mary Jane Dlouhy, seen here in 1961, was the host of the WGN-TV morning children's show
Mary Jane Dlouhy, seen here in 1961, was the host of the WGN-TV morning children’s show “Treetop House.” Dlouhy hosted the show with Mr. Widgin, a marionette.
Throughout his career with WGN-TV, Rayner would play many characters, including Sergeant Pettibone on the
Throughout his career with WGN-TV, Rayner would play many characters, including Sergeant Pettibone on the “Dick Tracy” show, Oliver O. Oliver on “Bozo’s Circus,” and eventually his own show “Rayner and His Friends.”
WGN television cameras covered the ballpark for their at home viewers in the 1960's.
WGN television cameras covered the ballpark for their at home viewers in the 1960’s.
A Girl Scout troop from Palatine learns about the operation of WGN-TV studios during a tour given by guide Frank Kapanowski, circa Nov. 19, 1965.
A Girl Scout troop from Palatine learns about the operation of WGN-TV studios during a tour given by guide Frank Kapanowski, circa Nov. 19, 1965.
Jack Brickhouse at the WGN-TV microphone during a White Sox game, circa July 30, 1967.
Jack Brickhouse at the WGN-TV microphone during a White Sox game, circa July 30, 1967.
Bob Bell, the actor who played Bozo the Clown, at WGN-TV studios in Chicago in 1968.
Bob Bell, the actor who played Bozo the Clown, at WGN-TV studios in Chicago in 1968.
Robert
Robert “Bob” Bell as Bozo the Clown in 1967.
“Bozo’s Circus”, a television program targeted to kids, became more popular in Chicago than in any other television market. Bozo’s original cast is shown here with Bob Bell as Bozo, in 1966.
Bob Bell as Bozo the Clown, left, and Ray Rayner as Oliver O. Oliver, right, during
Bob Bell as Bozo the Clown, left, and Ray Rayner as Oliver O. Oliver, right, during “Bozo’s Circus” in 1967.
Ray Rayner as Oliver O. Oliver, right, is shown with Ringmaster Ned Locke, left, and Bob Bell as Bozo the Clown, center, during the WGN-TV produced show
Ray Rayner as Oliver O. Oliver, right, is shown with Ringmaster Ned Locke, left, and Bob Bell as Bozo the Clown, center, during the WGN-TV produced show “Bozo’s Circus,” in 1967.
Ray Rayner on the set of
Ray Rayner on the set of “The Ray Rayner Show” with Chelveston the duck and Cuddly Dudley, in the mid-1970’s.
Talk show host Phil Donahue on the set of the
Talk show host Phil Donahue on the set of the “Donahue” show during the 1970’s.