| The First Radio Commercial- August 28, 1922 The first broadcast radio commercial was on August 28, 1922 on WEAF.
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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 |