On March 17, 1922, a new sound echoed through the streets of Philadelphia. WIP-AM, owned by Gimbel Brothers, made its grand debut. This wasn’t just another station. WIP-AM was a pioneer, one of the first department stores in the nation to establish a radio station. Imagine the excitement as shoppers at Gimbel Brothers on Market Street may have even heard the station’s inaugural broadcast. That day, WIP-AM began broadcasting on the 360-meter “entertainment” wavelength, sharing airtime with other eager stations in the city. Can you picture those early days? The airwaves were a new frontier, full of static and possibility. WIP-AM embraced it all, becoming a beloved voice in Philadelphia. As you stand here today, you’re at the site of a broadcasting legacy. Though WIP-AM’s journey eventually led it to the FM dial and a new call sign, its impact on Philadelphia’s soundscape remains. The echoes of “Wireless In Philadelphia” still resonate, a reminder of a time when a department store dared to dream of reaching an entire city through the magic of radio.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to