Bing Crosby, one of the most popular radio stars during that time, was open to the idea of recording radio programs, since he thought it was much better than appearing live. He first suggested this idea to NBC, but it refused, so he decided to just stop working on live radio for a while. He then returned in 1946-1947, this time to the recently-established ABC.
It was in June 1947 when Jack Mullin demonstrated to Crosby his tape recorders. After that, Crosby asked him to test record his radio show. Mullin used Ampex's Model 200 tape recorder for that. Following the successful test recording, Crosby asked ABC if he could pre-record his shows, to which the latter agreed. From then on, Crosby hired Mullin as his head engineer, and purchased $50,000 worth of recorders from Ampex.
The Ampex Company was a small company based in Northern California. The first show recorded on tape, Bing Crosby's Der Bingle, became so popular that it led to the wide distribution of the Ampex model 200.
