Repository: ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title: Local News Television in Pittsburgh: An Oral History Project Papers and Recordings
Collection Number: AIS.1992.11
Extent: 0.19 Linear Feet and 27 cassette tapes
Date: 1987-1991
Abstract: This oral history collection consists of transcripts, cassette tapes, and release forms of the 29 interviews conducted during the Oral History Project. The Oral History Project documents Pittsburgh's early television history and its pioneers. The content of the interviews spans the late 1940s to early 1960s.
Language: English .
Author: Burris Esplen. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Spring, 1999.
Publisher: ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Scope and Content Notes

This oral history collection consists of transcripts, cassette tapes, and release forms of the 29 interviews conducted during the Oral History Project. The Oral History Project documents Pittsburgh's early television history and its pioneers. The content of the interviews spans the late 1940s to early 1960s.

The collection provides information on how television was first brought into Pittsburgh. While Hinds' main concern was with local television news, other aspects of local broadcasting such as news and news reporting, local shows, commercials, production, engineering, and local television/radio personalities are discussed in the transcripts and cassette tapes.

Access Restrictions

Cassettes may not be used for broadcast without the permission of the interviewee.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Lynn Hinds, 1992

Previous Citation

Local News Television in Pittsburgh: An Oral History Project Papers and Recordings, 1987-1991, AIS.1992.11, Archives Services Center, University of Pittsburgh.

Preferred Citation

Local News Television in Pittsburgh: An Oral History Project Papers and Recordings, 1987-1991, AIS.1992.11, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Burris Esplen in October 1992.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Jennifer Marshall in May 1999. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Notis ID number: AKM7980.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

Personal Names

Adler, Will
Battenfelter, Bob
Beal, Bill
Berry, Jim
Boyle, Charles
Brandt, Bill
DeFiore, Fred
Dreyfuss, Dick
Eisenhower, George
Fanning, Win
Faust, Donovan
Gould, Jay
Gould, Rita
Hinds, Bill
Israel, Larry
Kahn, Jacques
Kaiser, Ron
Long, Paul
Mallinger, Dan
McDowell, Al
McGrath, Charlie
Mitchell, Jack
Murray, David, television journalist
Perry, Nick, Television journalist
Schano, Eleanor
Scott, Ray, Television journalist
Snyder, Jim, Television journalist
Stevenson, Robert, Television journalist
Thomas, George, Television journalist

Other Subjects

Oral history
Television journalists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Interviews
Television broadcasting -- Archival resources
Television -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History
Business and Industry

Container List

Series I. Transcripts, undated

Container Summary

(7 folders)

Scope and Content Notes

Interviews conducted by Lynn Hinds. Focus on Pittsburgh's history in early television and some radio. Discusses how television news, shows, commercials, etc. were produced and performed. Interviewees discuss other Pittsburghers (not interviewed) who took part in the pioneer days of television. Television stations and locations, descriptions of television sets, and descriptions of engineering techniques and consoles are also provided. Concerned primarily with 1949-1960. Arranged alphabetically.

Item 1. Adler, Will

Containers: box 1, folder 1

General Physical Description note

(10 pp.)

Biographical Note

Founded TV News, (later renamed TV Digest), Pittsburgh's weekly magazine devoted to television, in 1952. Later sold to TV Guide.

Item 2. Battenfelter, Bob

General Physical Description note

(15 pp.)

Biographical Note

One of the first technicians hired by WDTV, he became technical director and was still working in that capacity for KDKA in 1989.

Item 3. Beal, Bill

General Physical Description note

(13 pp.)

Biographical Note

Co-owner of Packaged Programs, a company that produced radio features. Beal, along with partner Morey Fierst, produced Pitt Parade, a daily newsreel which was the first regularly scheduled local production on WDTV.

Item 4. Berry, Jim

General Physical Description note

(10 pp.)

Biographical Note

An early employee of WTAE-TV when that station went on the air in 1958, he started in the mail room, moved to film editing, and later became videotape editor for news.

Item 5. Boyle, Charles (Chuck)

General Physical Description note

(32 pp.)

Biographical Note

Began as a film cameraman for Pitt Parade in the early 1950s; was the first full-time film cameraman hired by WDTV. Later worked for NBC.

Item 6. Brandt, Bill

Containers: box 1, folder 2

General Physical Description note

(15 pp.)

Biographical Note

Veteran of Pittsburgh radio, hosted a morning program on WDTV.

Item 7. & 8. DeFiore, Fred and Jay Gould

General Physical Description note

(10 pp.)

Biographical Note

Fred Difiore was one of the first film cameramen and editors for Pitt Parade. He later moved to WTAE-TV in similar capacity, and retired in 1990.

Jay Gould was one of the first film cameramen and editors for Pitt Parade. He became videotape editor for WTAE-TV and was still working in 1990.

Item 9. Dreyfus, Dick

General Physical Description note

(12 pp.)

Biographical Note

First film buyer for WDTV. Later worked for Westinghouse.

Item 10. Eisenhouer, George

General Physical Description note

(23 pp.)

Biographical Note

Moved from radio to become first announcer for WDTV. Retired as announcer for KDKA-TV after forty years.

Item 11. Fanning, Win

Containers: box 1, folder 3

General Physical Description note

(13 pp.)

Biographical Note

First TV columnist for The Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Item 12. Faust, Donovan

General Physical Description note

(32 pp.)

Biographical Note

Veteran of radio, played the role of The Green Hornet in Detroit. Television experience in Chicago and Dayton, Ohio before becoming the first Assistant General Manager of WDTV in the early 1950s.

Item 13. Gould, Rita

General Physical Description note

(5 pp.)

Biographical Note

Assistant to Bill Adler at TV Digest, she became Pittsburgh manager for TV Guide after they purchased TV Digest.

Item 14. Hinds, Bill

Containers: box 1, folder 4

General Physical Description note

(13 pp.)

Biographical Note

Performer for KDKA radio he moved to WDTV, co-starred in Buzz and Bill, a variety program.

Item 15. Israel, Larry

General Physical Description note

(44 pp.)

Biographical Note

Had TV experience in Philadelphia before moving to WDTV as Sales Manager in 1949. Together with Donovan Faust and others, he founded the short-lived UHP station, WENS.

Item 16. Kahn, Jacques

Containers: box 1, folder 5

General Physical Description note

(7 pp.)

Biographical Note

Worked for an advertising agency when WDTV began. Responsible for several agency-sponsored television programs.

Item 17. Kaiser, Ron

General Physical Description note

(12 pp.)

Biographical Note

Worked for advertising agency in late 1950s and produced television commercials.

Item 18. Long, Paul

General Physical Description note

(9 pp.)

Biographical Note

Joined KDKA radio in 1946 and became a veteran anchorman for KDKA-TV and later WTAE-TV.

Item 19. McDowell, Al

General Physical Description note

(17 pp.)

Biographical Note

Started as radio newsman in McKeesport, later moved to KDKA radio and KDKA-TV, and then to WTAE-TV.

Item 20. McGrath, Charlie

General Physical Description note

(10 pp.)

Biographical Note

One of first film cameramen for Pitt Parade, he later joined WTAE-TV in similar capacity.

Item 21. Mallinger, Dan

Containers: box 1, folder 6

General Physical Description note

(16 pp.)

Biographical Note

One of the first announcers for Pitt Parade, he later became Executive Director of AFTRA, the announcers' union.

Item 22. Mitchell, Jack

General Physical Description note

(18 pp.)

Biographical Note

One of the first technicians for WDTV, he retired in the late 1980s from KDKA-TV.

Item 23. Murray, David

General Physical Description note

(30 pp.)

Biographical Note

First full-time reporter for WDTV and anchor of The World Tonight, WDTV's first full newscast in 1952.

Item 24. Perry, Nick

General Physical Description note

(14 pp.)

Biographical Note

Veteran of radio, he became one of the first announcers for WDTV.

Item 25. Schano, Eleanor

Containers: box 1, folder 7

General Physical Description note

(14 pp.)

Biographical Note

One of the few women on-air for WDTV. One of the first "weather announcers." Later joined WTAE as a reporter.

Item 26. Scott, Ray

General Physical Description note

(11 pp.)

Biographical Note

First sportscaster for The World Tonight on WDTV. Later moved to network sports announcer.

Item 27. Snyder, Jim

General Physical Description note

(24 pp.)

Biographical Note

KDKA radio news director in 1950s.

Item 28. Stevenson, R(obert)

General Physical Description note

(18 pp.)

Biographical Note

Worked as advertising executive; produced The Wilkens Amateur Hour, the first studio-produced program for WDTV.

Item 29. Thomas, George

General Physical Description note

(20 pp.)

Biographical Note

Joined WDTV newsroom in early 1950s as first behind-the-scenes staff support for news. Later moved to WTAE-TV in similar capacity.

Series II. Interviews, 1987-1991

Container Summary

(27 cassette tapes)

Scope and Content Notes

Interviews conducted by Lynn Hinds. Interviews concern the origins and operations of Pittsburgh's early television. Radio is discussed to a small extent. Arranged alphabetically.

Adler, Will., August 3, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 1

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Adler, Will.: August 3, 1988

Battenfelter, Bob., March 3, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 2

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Battenfelter, Bob.: March 3, 1989

Beal, William., August 15, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 3

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Beal, William.: August 15, 1988

DeFiore, Fred and Gould, Jay., August 16, 1988

McGrath, Charlie., August 16, 1988

McGrath, Charlie.: August 16, 1988

Berry, Jim., July 26, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 4

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Berry, Jim.: July 26, 1989

Boyle, Charles., February 25, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 5

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Boyle, Charles.: February 25, 1989

Brandt, Bill., August 4, 1990

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 6

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Brandt, Bill.: August 4, 1990

Dreyfuss, Dick., March 3, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 7

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Dreyfuss, Dick.: March 3, 1989

Eisenhauer, George., November 2, 1990

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 8

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Eisenhower, George.: November 2, 1990

Fanning, Win., March 4, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 9

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Fanning, Win.: March 4, 1989

Faust, Donovan., March 11, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 10

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Faust, Donovan.: March 11, 1989

Gould, Rita., February 27, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 11

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Gould, Rita.: February 27, 1989

Hinds, Bill., February 26, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 12

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Hinds, Bill.: February 26, 1989

Israel, Larry., March 18, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 13-14

General Physical Description note

2 cassettes (135 min.)

Israel, Larry.: March 18, 1989

Kahn, Jacques., August 2, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 15

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Kahn, Jacques.: August 2, 1988

Kaiser, Ron., August 3, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 16

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Kaiser, Ron.: August 3, 1988

Long, Paul., August 16, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 17

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Long, Paul.: August 16, 1988

McDowell, Al., August 20, 1990

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 18

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

McDowell, Al.: August 20, 1990

Mallinger, Dan., March 3, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 19

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Mallinger, Dan.: March 3, 1989

Mitchell, Jack., February 28, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 20

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Mitchell, Jack.: February 28, 1989

Murray, David., August 9, 1987

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 21

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Murray, David.: August 9, 1987

Perry, Nick., March 3, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 22

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Perry, Nick.: March 3, 1989

Schano, Eleanor., March 2, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 23

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Schano, Eleanor.: March 2, 1989

Scott, Ray., June 4, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 24

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Scott, Ray.: June 4, 1989

Snyder, Jim., January 25, 1991

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 25

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Snyder, Jim.: January 25, 1991

Stevenson, R., August 16, 1988

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 26

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Stevenson, R.: August 16, 1988

Thomas, George., August 11, 1989

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, cassette 27

General Physical Description note

1 cassette (90 min.)

Thomas, George.: August 11, 1989

Series III. Forms, undated

Container Summary

(1 folder)

Scope and Content Notes

The release form provides a brief outline of the project for the interviewee, describes the interviewer, and allows the interviewer to share the tapes and transcripts with researchers. The forms are signed and dated by the interviewee. With the exception of R. Stevenson, whose form is missing, the names are the same as listed above. Arranged alphabetically.

Release forms

Containers: audio-cabinet 1, folder 8

Guide to the Local News Television in Pittsburgh: An Oral History Project Papers and Recordings, 1987-1991 AIS.1992.11

Arrangement

Scope and Content Notes

Access Restrictions

Acquisition Information

Previous Citation

Preferred Citation

Processing Information

Copyright

Subjects

Personal Names

Other Subjects

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