News reporter Ann Hunter pointing to a WWII map of Italy. Early example
of women as on camera news reporters.
Courtesy of Harry Moore
Courtesy of Harry Moore
Fran Harris-Tuchman began her broadcasting career in 1942 as a member of the pioneering all-female group known as the Women's Auxiliary Television Technical Staff (WATTS). The WATTS kept WBKB-TV (now WLS) in Chicago on the air for the duration of WWII, as the majority of the station's male staff were overseas.
Courtesy of Steve Dichter
The Control Room. Again, notice the all-female staff. During the war it was common for women to take over jobs which previously were exclusively for men.
Courtesy of Steve Dichter
The set is a General Electric HM-226
1944 telecast
A picture of the staff from the mid 40s. Two cameras can be seen; one is a DuMont (right) and the other is a homemade camera (left).
