Postwar American Television
Bell Labs / A. T. & T National Network
Bell Labs and A. T. & T. experimented with interconnection of TV stations in the mid 40s, with the New York to Boston route. In 1946 they started expanding the network, using both coaxial cable and microwave links. By 1949 the network covered most of the east coast and midwest. By 1951 some of the south was incorporated, and work was underway to link the west coast. By 1957 the entire country was linked. This network provided interconnection of TV stations until satellite networks were developed in the 70s and 80s.
| Bell System Microwave and Coaxial Networks |
| Microwaves for Relaying TV Programs |
| Spanning the Continent by Radio Relay |
| Talking Over Waves |
Successful Servicing, May 1947
True Magazine, July 1948
(click on picture for high resolution images)
Tele-Tech, 1949
Science Illustrated, January 1949
DuMont network affiliates, 1949
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National Radio-TV News, October-November 1952
Courtesy of Bob Dobush
National Radio-TV News, April-May 1951
Courtesy of Bob Dobush
1957 Network Map