Engineers Monitor the NBC "Orange Network"
Debut Broadcast, 1927 

These men work behind the scenes at the central studios of the Orange Network in San Francisco.  Their voices are never heard, yet they play important roles.  This panel of the National Broadcasting Company will in turn release through telephone wires to the various stations of the Pacific Coast Network of the company.  Left to right:  Fred Hill, telegrapher;  A. H. Saxton, in charge of technical operations; William Bowen, waiting for first word of welcome over phone system; Charles McCarthy, ready to increase volume of voice; Guy Cassidy, ready to plug in lines to Coast stations.   (NBC Publicity Photo)