The first
practical demonstration of large screen television was made by RCA to
the Society of Motion Picture Engineers in 1939. the screen was
approximately 3 x 4 ft.
Later that year RCA built a projection system that
produced an excellent picture on a 9 by 12 foot screen. In
December of 1940, a system was installed in the New Yorker
Theater on Times Square, and operated it for nearly a year.
During this time, the results were viewed by leaders of the
motion picture industry, high government officials and press
representatives.
The programs ranged from studio presentations at Radio City
to boxing matches via coaxial cable from Madison Square Garden,
wrestling via high frequency relay from Jamaica, New York, and even
parade ground maneuvers at Camp Upton, 60 miles away, via three radio
relay repeaters.
On May 9, 1941, an especially ambitious program was
attempted. A full evening program was scheduled for an invited audience
of leaders of government, industry, press and the public, which filled
the 1600 seat house to overflowing.
A scene from the first RCA demonstration
of large screen television
