Television History




Television History Item #270

 

Hi Puzzlers,

It looks like our Television History puzzle has made it into our top 50 again this month.  I have to say it is one of my favorites too!  Looking at it is like looking through an old photo album filled with pictures of family and friends.  Wow! So much of how we conduct ourselves as a family and a society has change as a result of its invention. 

Studies reveal most people are so attached to the “tube” that they wouldn’t give it up even for a million dollars!  Most feel it’s their best resource for information and entertainment.   According to the Nielsen’s Television Audience Report more than half the homes in America have 3 or more televisions sets and in 2009 the average U.S. home had only 2.5 people verse 2.86 television sets.  Televisions have made their way into our bedrooms, bathrooms and even our kitchens.

One of televisions best buddies is the TV dinner.  Many claim it was invented by Gerry Thomas in 1954.  Gerry is also credited with inventing the name; he called them Swanson TV Dinners.  These handy little frozen meals could be cooked with no fuss or hassle in the oven and cleaned up was a snap because of that disposable aluminum tray.  Early choices included Meatloaf, Salisbury Steak, Turkey and Fried Chicken; each meal included mashed potatoes, carrots or green peas.  The yummy deserts were not added until later to increase customer appeal.  Imagine all that for just 98¢ each.

In 1987, the Smithsonian Institution placed a TV dinner tray on display to commemorate its impact on American society.   How many of you remember the whole family seated in a semicircle around the television eating these?  Maybe Gun Smoke, I Love Lucy, or The Jackie Gleason Show was on.

My old friends include Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman and Star Trek.   I just loved seeing these smart, take charge, and get the job done, kind of women week after week.  And if that wasn’t enough they proved you could look great doing it!  Star Trek offered me to boldly go where no man has gone before.  Places were men, women and people of all races and religions worked together for a unified goal. Thanks Gene!

My new favorites include some reality television shows like American Idol’s tell it like it is or was, Simon Cowell and Dancing with the Stars Len Goodman…uhm maybe we should do a reality television puzzle, what do you think?

Happy Puzzling!

Rock 'n' Roll

Hi Puzzlers,

Today’s topic to ponder is Rock ‘n’ Roll. People across the globe have been listening to this music, in one form or another, for decades. Just hearing a few notes from one of your favorite songs can transport you back in time. Let’s take a look at some of the inventions that made it all possible.

Interestingly enough it has been stated that Rock ‘n’ Roll got its start when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. This makes sense, how would people have been able to play records and recordings otherwise. The creation of the phonograph paved for the way for the next major Rock ‘n’ Roll device, the juke box. It was created by the Chicago Automatic Machine & Tool Company in 1915.

Well that clears up the juke box mystery, but what about the term Rock ‘n’Roll? Have you ever wondered where that came from? The answer really surprised me! Note, reader discretion advised, some may find the following offensive. Now you are really curious aren’t you?

The term "rock" and "roll" originated from a black slang for sexual intercourse! Too funny! In 1922, Trixie Smith recorded "My Baby Rocks Me With One Steady Roll". This marked the first appearance of the phrased on a recording, and as they say the rest is history. I guess that also gives us a better understanding as to why some parents were so against this music.

The next great musical recording device was the 78 rpm record which was introduced in 1929. Seventy-Eight’s as they were called would play for four to five minutes per side on a 12 inch disc and three to five on a 10inch. The artist would sing into a horn and the power of their vibrating voice would cut the wax on a master disc. The sound was ultra acoustic.

In 1931 the electric guitar was invented by Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp. “It was a lap-steel guitar with an electromagnetic pickup in which a current passed through a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. This created a field that amplified the strings' vibrations.”

Echo-delay, multi-track recording and many other techniques that expand recording possibilities are invented in 1945 by Les Paul. In 1948 Columbia Records introduces the vinyl 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm album. RCA Victor quickly follows suit with the introduction of the 45 rpm Record. The 45 rpm was easier to produce, smaller and cheaper than the fragile 78's. RCA Victor also created a small inexpensive record player to accommodate the new records size and speed.

While all these inventions were being developed, so too, was the sound that would be known as Rhythm and Blues. R & B changed rapidly in the formative years and thus giving birth to a new sound called Rock ‘n’Roll.

I can’t imagine a world without music and I am so happy that the inventions keep making it better and more portable.

Happy Puzzling!

Divas

Hi Puzzlers,

I have been noticing the term Diva everywhere. Sometimes the term is used as a good reference and increasingly it is not. To be truthful the negative references got my feministic side going. Why, oh why, does a woman always seem to have a name associated with a behavior? Do we call tantrum throwing men Divo’s? I didn’t even have to make that word up! Divo, in Italian, is the male version of diva. It refers to prominent male tenors. Oh, wait! I have inspired myself! Divo’s can be the title of our next all male entertainer puzzle!!! Ah, venting. It gets the creativity going! Now back to our topic…

A diva by today’s definition is a famous female singer and or actress. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna". Prima donna is also Italian for “first lady” or a leading lady that gets all the best parts.

The earliest references of divas were found in popular English literature dating back before 1505. During the 1880s most of the popular operatic prima donnas would have been considered divas. These women clearly had some serious singing skills and talent to be held in such high regard. Some of the most famous operatic divas include: Maria Callas, Nellie Melba, Renee Fleming, Leotyne Price, and Joan Sutherland. It amazes me to think the term diva originated in opera. Most people today would not even think to consider an opera star a diva.

As time passed the term began to include other musical genres. A diva receives admiration not only for their talent but for their performances, looks, style and grace. Diva experts say, “Some people associate large amounts of artistic talent with short tempers and difficult personalities, and this probably explains why the word “diva” is used to describe women who are difficult to deal with. Many actual divas are in fact known for their gentle, generous, courteous personalities, as these women are far too busy with their professional careers to be petty or hard to handle.”

And so, as my Mother always says, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Or, was that stick and stones may break my bones…?

Happy Puzzling!

Country Music

Hi Puzzlers,

Recently I was out with friends and in typical fashion a lively debate began about American music. I said there was only one music style to have come out of America and that was Jazz, all other forms had been imported with the early settlers. Well, let me tell you, that statement got the Blackberrys and the Googling going. Finally the truth was to be told… I WAS WRONG! Yes you read it right! I made a mistake…a blunder…a goof. The research queen had fallen face-first off her pedestal. The fact is, Country Music also started in the USA. So in a humbling attempt to regain my top research queen status I present to you, my fellow puzzlers and friends, a blog post on the History of Country Music.

The early settlers of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North America, like most immigrants, could only bring with them their most valued possessions and for many this was an instrument. For the Scottish and Irish it was the fiddle, which could sound sad and melancolic or bright and cheerful. For German immigrants it was the dulcimer, the Italians brought the mandolin, the Spanish brought the guitar, and the West Africans brought the banjo . This fact surprised me a little. I was always under the impression that the banjo had a Southern American origin not an African one. Lesson learned…research the facts before you speak!!!

The intermingling of musicians from different ethnic groups thus produced a unique musical sound. These early 20th century Applachian string bands usually consisted of the fiddle, guitar, and banjo. These ethnic groups migrated to Texas and brought their music with them. Today this type of hillbilly music is commonly referred to as old-time music.

In the1920s radio stations began playing music by local performers from Atlanta and Fort Worth. Barn-dance programs also became popular among radio stations of this time. The radio stations quickly realized this type of music fit the lifestyle of the country's agricultural employees. One of the most significant occurrence in Country Music happened in 1925 when WSM-AMs radio aired the Grand Ole Opry.

As the singing cowboys and cowgirls gained popularity in 1930s-1940s for their Hollywood films so too did their music. Some western music bands infused Jazz into their sound and it would soon be known as Western swing within the dance halls. In 1935 Bob Wills added drums to his band’s instrument line up and in 1938 added the electric guitar. The integration of these two types of music became know as Country & Western music and as they say, the rest is history.

Happy Puzzling!

Politics

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our newest puzzle “Politics”, yet? Artist James Mellett did a great job capturing the theme. The political arena has certainly changed through the years and it makes me wonder what the founding fathers would think.

The Declaration of Independence states, “of the people, by the people and for the people.” With just a quick glance at the puzzle you can see this to be true as it is filled with people of differing backgrounds and ethnic origins. It’s all here, from peanut farmers to astronauts. Do you remember what presidential candidate said, “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.”(Taken from the movie Network). Do you recognize some American actors turn politician? Here a few hints, “I got you babe”, “Go ahead make my day” and “I’ll be back.”

The declaration also states, “that all men are created equal.” So, I’m not sure what the founding fathers would think of the rising number of women and ethnic minorities in politics. In particular, women trail blazers like Bella Abzug, Hillary Clinton and the unforgettable Sarah Palin whose has been portrayed by comedian Tina Fey with the infamous quote, “ I can see Russia from my house”.

How would they respond to an African-American man as president with his family living in the White House and Colin Powell as Commander in Chief, or the likes of civil and political activists such as Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks?

Also tied to politics are the scandals. Will we ever forget hanging chads, Oliver North, Monica Lewinsky and Watergate? These scandals make for entertaining political television and radio with hosts such as Bill O’Reilly, John Stewart, Keith Oberman, Stephen Colbert and the infamous Rush Limbaugh.

Happy Puzzling!

Meet Artist James Mellet

Hi Puzzlers,

We would like you to meet artist James Mellett. Jim's artistic talent is behind some of our most popular puzzles. He has been working with White Mountain Puzzles for over a decade.

Jim is a Pittsburgh native and has been a freelance illustrator for almost 20 years, working out of his home studio. He has a BFA from Indiana University of PA (IUP) and an Associate Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Jim has completed 22 large montage illustrations for White Mountain Puzzles Inc. Some of his most popular titles are Television History, Hollywood, Ireland, The 60's, and Rock 'n' Roll.

He has exhibited at Society of Illustrators/LA, Illustration West 39th Annual Show, Kipp Gallery at IUP, Renaissance Gallery in Carnegie, PA; James Gallery, Create-A-Frame Handworks Gallery, and frequently at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gallery. Jim has also won awards for his sports art in the Beckett Magazine Annual Sports Art Gallery. Jim is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators (PSI), and he has been serving the PSI in the position of secretary since 1999. He lives in Mt. Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb, with wife Jan, and daughter Kathryn.Click on Jim to view all of his great jigsaw puzzle designs.

Let us know your favorite!

Happy Puzzling!

All That Jazz

Hi Puzzlers,

Most everyone loves Jazz music, or as in the case of my daughter and me, you will grow to love the music once you are exposed to it. My father would always have some kind of Jazz music playing in the background and if one of his kids walked by he would grab their hand and whip us around as if dancing the Jitterbug.

Among my Dad’s favorites were Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and the “Rat Pack” (Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.), Count Basie and Nat King Cole, just to mention a few. When ever I hear their music I am reminded of my father and the impact Jazz music has had on music since its inception.

Jazz, sometimes referred to as “America’s classical music”, began in the 1700s and played an important role in African American culture. Songs were used to tell a story, to pass the time, and soulful songs were used to express religious beliefs and hopes for freedom. These songs helped make up the foundation of jazz music.

In the 1800s African American composer Scott Joplin combined the musical traditions of many European immigrants with the rhythmic and melodic music of the black communities to form what is now call Ragtime.

During the 1900s New Orleans became a melting pot of musical traditions. Immigrants from all over the world began to combine musical styles such as blues, ragtime and marching band and it is this combination that created a new style of music called JAZZ.

As African Americans began to migrate north in the 1920’s, bringing with them the sounds of blues and jazz music, the popularity of the new music took hold on many young Americans. Listening to and dancing to this new music was seen as a rebellion against their parents. Young woman cut their hair and hem lines and became know as Flappers.

By the 1930s, the new jazz “Big Band Swing” was the most popular and it kept everyone dancing at the local dance halls. But as soon as WWII began in the 1940s it was difficult to find musicians to play in the dance halls as many had gone off to serve the country.

Television in the 1950s had slowly replaced dance halls as a form of entertainment. Television variety shows introduced a new form of music-“Rock N Roll”. Many performers such as Elvis Presley became overnight successes.

During the civil right movement of the 1960s many African American musicians broke free from companies holding the rights to their music and started controlling it themselves. Most successful were those from Motown Records.

From the 1970s to the present, jazz music has had many changes and continues to evolve into many different variations. A few years back I purchased a new CD by a group called Jamiroquai - as it turns out, it is considered to be one of the new jazz variations call Acid Jazz. It looks like my father’s influence is still with me. Thanks Dad!

What's your favorite jazz style or performer!

Happy Puzzling!