History Focus
August 28

   
               

 

 

The First Radio Commercial- August 28, 1922

The first broadcast radio commercial was on August 28, 1922 on WEAF.

The first broadcast radio commercial was on August 28, 1922. It was broadcast on WEAF Radio in New York City. It was broadcast at 5:15 p.m. on behalf of Queensboro Corporation. This commercial was a 10 minute talk on Hawthorne Hall. Hawthorne Hall was a new cooperative apartment house at Jackson Heights, New York.

This first commercial was more like the first infomercial. The commercial was read by Mr. Blackwell of the Queensboro Corporation. The sponsor paid $500.00 for five successive daily 'spots.' Later it was reported that two apartments had been sold in response to the advertisement.

The station WEAF was owned by A. T. & T.. It was described as a "toll broadcasting" station. The station itself provided no program material at all. Anyone could come in and give their message to the world. This message could be commercial, or one could demonstrate his own particular talent. The station charged a set fee of so much money per minute of air time.

Other early sponsors to broadcast commercials on WEAF during 1922 were: Tidewater Oil, American Express, Macys's, Metropolitan Life, Colgate's, and Miller Shoes.

Source: The New Shell Book of Firsts - Patrick Robertson

 


© Phillip Bower