KTLA & the Atomic Bomb – LIVE!
On August 19, 2013
- TV History
The Amazing Adventures Of Klaus Landsberg,
Landsberg was the director of experimental television station W6XYZ when it went on the air in 1942. Under his guidance, it became the first commercially licensed television station west of Mississippi when it became KTLA Television on January 22nd, 1947. Here is the story of how Klaus and KTLA televised an atomic bomb test live from the middle of nowhere with only a few days notice, told by our friend Richard Wirth.
As a ‘downwinder’, I’ve had a special interest in the 1950’s atom bomb tests. There’s another broadcast angle: as part of Operation Teapot a few years later, they located an operating AM station within the blast zone. It survived!
So happy you gave John Silva the credit he deserved.
Don, I have tried to write but you have no comment line. Anyway, The Tribune did a 40 year salute to KTLA and showed the atom bomb testing. I have a DVD (from the original tape) and if you want a copy, let me know………..