THE RADIO HISTORIAN
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 WLW Cincinatti - Early Years 1920-1930

Powel Crosley, Jr., put WLW on the air in Cincinnati in 1922 with the modest power of 50 watts. The station was built to promote the sale of Crosley radios. Under Crosley's leadership, and with massive financing, WLW grew from a tiny station to the country's most powerful broadcaster in just twelve years. Here are some images showing the beginnings of WLW, "The Nation's Station".

Powel Crosley broadcasts the Song of India over his 20-watt amateur station 8CR from his Davey Street home, about 1921.
WLW debuted in March, 1922, from a 50-watt transmitter at the Crosley factory on Hamilton Avenue.
This larger WLW transmitter was constructed and operated briefly in 1922.
WLW 500 watt transmitter designed by Dorman Israel, 1922.
Powel Crosley with WLW's Western Electric 100A 500-watt transmitter, 1923.
Powel Crosley participates in an early WLW broadcast, 1922.
In October, 1924, WLW dedicated its new two-studio facility in it's factory at Colerain Avenue and Alfred Street. This is the larger 'Ensemble' studio, 24' x 28'.
This view shows WLW's smaller 'Solo' studio, 14' x 28'.
The 41' x 21' visitor's viewing area allowed the observation of the broadcasts into both studios through plate glass windows.
Another view of the visitor's observation area. Audiences seated in this area heard the broadcasts through loudspeakers.
WLW Trio: Mrs Arthur G Beyer, violin; Dorothy Liyon Badham, cello; Hildegarde S Browning piano.
Fred Sanker, the 'Cincinnati Post' woman who arranged WLW programs on Wednesday evenings.
'Big Ford' and 'Little Glenn', WLW childrens' program hosts.
'Uncle Ben'Darrow broadcasts the 'Ohio School of the Air' over WLW, 1930. He pioneered education by radio, and his daily lessons were part of the school curriculum in more than 8,000 classrooms in 29 states.

Palatial New WLW - WSAI Studios in the Crosley Building, 1930

The new Crosley factory building at 1321 Arlington Street, showing the WLW towers, after 1928.
Another view of the Crosley factory building. Five new WLW studios occupied the building's 8th floor.
Artist's conception of the Crosley factory building.
A view of the performing stage in the new WLW Studio "A".
Another view of Studio "A".
Detail view showing the decorative wall sculpture in Studio "A"
Broadcast of a WLW program, showing actors with scripts and sound effects engineers.
WLW musical program broadcast, showing orchestra and a trio of singers in costume.
WLW staff orchestra, directed by Lloyd Schaeffer
"The Puddle Family" debuts on WLW radio in Cincinnati, 1932.
For the dedication of the new studios in 1930, musicians and other staff were given new uniforms - bright blue linen smocks and berets with red trim.

Some WLW - WSAI Performers in the 1930's

Violinist Virginio Marucci, 1931. He was later the 'Moon River' theme violinist.
Larry Grueter, accordianist, 1930.
LeRoy Ted DeTurk, 1929
Sid Ten Eyck and Bob Burdette, 1932
The Morin Sisters - Evelyn, Pauline and Lucille Morin - were heard on WLW from 1931 until being discovered by Paul Whiteman in 1933 and moving to network radio. Eventually they were on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club in Chicago, but Evelyn married in 1939 and the act disbanded.
Pat Gillick at WLW's Wurlitzer Opus 1001 pipe organ, 1932.
Powel Crosley and unidentified man - November, 1930
Unidentified WLW performers
Mike Herman and unidentified co-host
WLW sound effects engineers at work
'Hymns of All Churches', heard8:30 to 8:45 AM each morning except Sunday. Joe Emerson - center (at microphone). Arthur Ainsworth, announcer, extreme left.
'Moon River' was a late-night WLW program featuring soft music and romantic poetry set to organ accompaniment. It was broadcast from 1930 to 1970.
WLW chief announcer Robert Brown
Alfred Gus Kargas, 1938
Del King, "Avalon Time" announcer, 1939
To continue the tour of WLW:
WLW at 500 kW