David Sarnoff

The "father of broadcasting" championed the innovation of radio and television technology and networks, led RCA for nearly 30 years, and had the vision to see the value of continuous R&D in electronics. Perhaps it all began in April 1912, when for 72 hours straight, as a wireless telegraph operator in New York City, David Sarnoff relayed news of survivors from the sinking of S.S. Titanic. In 1915, he first proposed a "radio music box" for people to hear broadcasts. He helped organize the first sports broadcast in 1921 and then, five years later, helped create the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the first permanent radio network. Sarnoff formally introduced black and white television to Americans in 1939, and then electronic color in 1950. An enduring belief in the social improvements possible through technology led to his support for RCA's research labs, which turned out numerous electronics inventions that are used today.