From the old MCRFB RADIO scrapbook: 1945

AIR PROFILE OF THE MOTOR CITY

Scripps Dynasty Feature of WWJ Broadcast Party

DETROIT, Aug. 25, 1945 — Highlight of the WWJ silver anniversary show Monday (August 20) was probably the public realization for the first time that radio has come of age sufficiently to establish a real continuity of tradition. This was embodied in the veritable dynasty of the Scripps family association with the station.

Two generations were present, William E. Scripps, president of The Detroit News, and his grandson, William J. Scripps, who was general manager of WWJ until entering the armed forces. Interest actually dated back still another generation to the late James E. Scripps, father of William E. Scripps, and founder of The News, who, together with his son, provided the funds to establish an experimental wireless station here in 1902.

Thomas E. Clark, pioneer wireless inventor, who built and developed this station, resulting in the ultimate establishment of WWJ in 1920, was especially honored at the broadcast and at the party in the Book Cadillac Hotel which followed.

Clark’s showbiz experience takes the pioneer history of radio still further back to the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893, when he was in charge of the General Electric exhibit. Clark there was intrigued by the operations of Nikola Tesla in early wireless, and returned to GE, headquarters to begin his own experiments.

Entertainment program at the party following the broadcast included a 35 minute sketch roasting every well-known station character, with Joe Gentile, of CKLW, in the lead role. Event was attended by station staff, press and radio figures of the town, and their guests, crowding the grand ballroom of the hotel. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; September 01, 1945)