Early Electronic Television
Golden Gate Exposition, San Francisco, 1939-40
The
Golden Gate International Exposition (1939 and 1940) was held at San
Francisco, California to celebrate two newly-built bridges. The San
Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge was dedicated in 1936 and the Golden Gate
Bridge was dedicated in 1937. The exposition was opened initially from
February 18, 1939 through October 29, 1939. It opened again from May 25,
1940 through September 29, 1940.
The Exposition was held on Treasure Island, a completely flat,
artificial island attached to Yerba Buena Island, near where the Oakland
span and the San Francisco span of the Bay Bridge join. Built by the
federal government, Treasure Island was to be an airport for Pan
American Airline's Pacific Rim service of flying boats, of which the
China Clipper is an example. Due to wartime needs, it was soon turned
into a naval base, which was occupied by the US Navy from 1941 to 1997.
Both RCA and Westinghouse, and perhaps other companies, demonstrated television at the exposition.
Sunset Magazine, June 1939
Courtesy of Wayne Bretl
Broadcasting, September 15, 1938 |
Broadcasting, January 15 1939 |
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Coin from the Exposition
Courtesy of Steve Dichter