October 5, 1947: The first tape-recorded show, Bing Crosby's
Der Bingle, was transmitted on ABC. Crosby invested a huge amount in Ampex Company. Popularity of the show also gave boost to magnetic tape recorders, which led to the extensive dissemination of Ampex Model 200 magnetic tape recorders.
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.
October 8, 1935: The song Londonderry Air was heard for the first time as the theme song of The O'Neills on CBS. The O'Neills aired on Mondays. Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:30 PM. In 1936 the show's time was moved and it lasted until 1943. In 1943 The O'Neills was run on NBC Red and Blue Network and on CBS. This radio drama was sponsored by Silver Dust, Ivory soap, and Ivory soap flakes.
