EASTSIDE MARKETPLACE ALMANACK • May 2012
Against All Odds
For the past several months, my husband Larry has been occupied with designing the lighting for our new condo. While doing web research on specialized lightbulbs, he discovered a fascinating bit of history on the design of these devices. He told me the story at dinner.
Bi-pin base bulb invented by Reginald Fessenden for Westinghouse
Larry’s story jogged my memory. About fifteen years ago I visited an exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on the history of radio and television. The history of FM radio was one that was memorable as both a success and a tragedy. In the mid1930s, Major Edwin Armstrong, a successful inventor, was well aware of AM (amplitude modulation) radio broadcasting’s major limitations:
- static interference from household appliances and lighting;
- limited audio quality (frequency response and dynamic range);
- nighttime interference between many stations (co-channel interference because of ionospheric refraction).
He initially tried to correct these problems by devising a new circuit to improve AM radio signals. But he soon realized that a whole new approach was needed. He came up with the idea of FM (frequency modulation*) signals that eliminated the problems inherent in AM radio.
Armstrong brought his invention to his friend, David Sarnoff, head of RCA, who agreed to help him with its development. RCA bought into Armstrong’s patents and also helped him develop an experimental FM radio station. But it wan’t long before Sarnoff realized that Armstrong’s FM radio was likely to put RCA, his existing AM radio empire, out of business. Instead of following through with his promised support, Sarnoff closed down Armstrong’s FM station and put his new FM technology in mothballs. Costly years of legal battles ensued.
Armstrong was left to develop FM radio on his own. He sold rights to manufacture FM radios to several companies. Progress was slow because the 1930s depressed economy did not encourage major investments in new technology. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not grant Armstrong’s FM broadcasting permit until 1940; by 1941 fifty FM stations were on the air. But the war effort of the following years diverted resources and froze development. Following the war, David Sarnoff and RCA, still out to hold control of their radio empire, pressured the FCC to change all of the FM radio frequencies — a move they knew would instantly obsolete all of the existing FM radios and cause Armstrong to lose his personal investment in FM radio. Needless to say, this is exactly what took place. FM radios were suddenly rendered useless; and having been “burned once,” owners were not about to immediately go out and buy new FM radios. In addition the FCC allowed radio stations to simulcast the same programming on both their AM and FM stations. Once TV entered the picture, interest in FM radio appeared doomed; by 1949 many FM Stations had shut down. In the next few years the major electric companies interest in FM technology and Armstrong’s patents reawakened. Once again Armstrong filed suit against RCA and its subsidiaries for infringing on his patents.
Armstrong’s legal battle with Sarnoff and RCA took its toll on both his pocketbook and his creative energies. On January 31, 1954 he jumped to his death from his 13th story New York apartment. Armstrong’s widow continued to press his twenty-one lawsuits. Eventually she succeeded and received a $10,000,000 settlement.
*Modulation refers to how information is encoded upon the carrier wave so that the original sound can later be detected by a radio receiver. In an unmodulated wave the height (amplitude) of each wave segment is identical and the distance between each wave segment is equal. In an AM wave the height of the wave segments varies. In an FM wave, the distance between the segments varies.
May 2012 Calendar
Through May 31 (Exhibit)
P.S. 2012 PUBLIC SCHOOL ART EXHIBIT AND THE GIFT OF ART TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
URI Providence Campus and the Rhode Island Alliance for Art Education
A mixed media exhibit of art works from more than 350 grade K-12 students from public and charter schools across the state. This year the South Kingstown School System has been chosen for The Gift of Art to the State of Rhode Island.
PLACE: 80 Washington Street, Providence
Gallery hours are Mon - Thu 9am - 9pm, Fri & Sat 9am - 4pm • May 17 Gallery Night Hours are 5pm - 9pm.
COST: Free • for information, see uri.edu/prov/arts • email uri.artsandculture@gmail.com or call 277-5206.
Sunday, May 6 • 4:00pm
AMERICAN SONG BOOK CONCERT
Rhode Island Philharmonic School of Music
Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Jazz Big Band and Robby Janelle
Temple Beth El, Providence
PLACE: 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence
COST: Free • call 401-331-6070 for information
Tuesday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 22 • 7:30pm
LECTURES IN RHODE ISLAND JEWISH HISTORY
RI Jewish Historical Society, RI Historical Society and the Koffler-Bornstein Families Institute of
Adult Jewish Studies
May 8 • Social Networking for the Jewish Genealogist with Meredith Hoffman, professional genealogist
May 22 • North End, South Side, West End, East Side: A virtual tour of Providence’s Historic Jewish Neighborhoods with Mel Zurier and Sarah Zurier, Historian at the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
PLACE: Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence
COST: Free • 331-1616, Rabbi Joel Seltzer
Thursday, May 10 • 7:30pm
BOBBY McFERRIN
FirstWorks
Prior to McFerrin’s solo performance, the regions’ best a cappella groups will perform al fresco in front of the VETS free of charge from 6:15 to 7:20 pm.
PLACE: The Vets, Providence
COST: $22 - $68 • tickets www.vmari.com/get-tix/box-office • 401-421-2787
Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13 • 9am - 4pm
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Complimentary admission for mothers both days. Special activities for all ages.
PLACE: 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
COST: Free for mothers and zoo members; adults $15.95, children over three $9.95. Check with your local public library to see if free or reduced price passes are available. Activities are from 11am - 3pm.
Tuesday, May 15 • 7:00pm
STAN LEBOVIC, AUTHOR OF BLACK IS A COLOR
Holocaust Education & Resource Center of RI
Guest speaker at the HERC Annual Meeting will be Stan Lebovic, a survivor’s son, who will discuss his art and his
powerful new book.
PLACE: JCCRI; 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence
COST: Free • 401-453-7860 or email mzeidman@hercri.org.
Wednesday, May 16 • 7:30am - 12:45pm
CONFERENCE: WHY ARE PEOPLE POOR?
The Systemic Nature of Poverty in Rhode Island
The RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty
Speakers are Rabbi Steve Gutow, President & CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali, President of the Islamic Society of North America, and The Reverend Peg Chamberlin, Past President of the National Council of Churches. Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed and House Speaker Gordon Fox will also contribute.
PLACE: Donovan Dining Center, RI College
COST: $20 includes admission and breakfast • Register at interfaithpovertyconference.eventbrite.com.
Email mcooper@jfri.org or call Marty Cooper at 401-421-4111.
Saturday, May 19 & Sunday, May 20 • 10:00am - 2:00pm
RARE AND UNUSUAL PLANT SALE
Southside Community Land Trust
Hundreds of varieties of annuals, perennials, and fruit and vegetable plant-starts will be offered for sale. Gardening experts will be on hand to assist you with your purchases and to advise you about their care.
PLACE: City Farm, located at the corner of Dudley & West Clifford Streets (between Prairie Ave. and Broad St.) in South Providence.
INFO: www.southsideclt.org. Email outreach@southsideclt.org or call 401-273-9419, x32.
Saturday, May 19
FITNESS EXPO & PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM ACTIVITIES
Brown Street Park
The Expo is an opportunity to participate in 30 minute version of some of the fitness classes that will be held in the park over the summer.
9:00 am • CrossFit Bootcamp Class (60 minutes)
10:00am • Kids' Races at the park (30 min), sponsored by CrossFit Providence
1:00 - 3:00pm • Children's Museum Activities
2:00pm • Punch Rumford adult obstacle course
2:30pm • YMCA Zumba or Punch obstacle course
3:00pm • OM Kids Yoga
4:00pm • Meditation
PLACE: Brown Street behind Hope High School
COST: Free • www.FriendsofBrownStreetPark.org. Email wendy@friendsofbrownstreetpark.org.
Tuesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 24
THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK STORYTELLERS
Providence Storytelling Festival
City of Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism
May 22 - Rochambeau Library @ 3:30 pm
May 24 - Fox Point Library @ 4:00 pm
Free: www.provcomlib.org/events/storytelling2012.pdf (pdf)
Thursday, June 7, Friday, June 8 & Saturday, June 9
CHICAGO’S SECOND CITY "LAUGH OUT LOUD" TOUR
Performed at Trinity Rep Theatre
Five performances of some of the best sketches, songs, and improvisations from The Second City’s fifty-two year history. Second City launched the careers of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and many more. The 10:00 pm Saturday performance will be an Improv All Stars show with special guests Providence’s Improv Jones troupe.
PLACE: 201 Washington Street, Providence
COST: $30 • Thurday at 8:00pm, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 and 10:00pm
Tickets at www.trinityrep.com or call 401-351-4242. More info at www.secondcity.com.
