BEA2014

Early Arctic and Antarctic explorers took along film and photography professionals to document their expeditions. In the mid-1920s, the effort to communicate by radio or shortwave with Arctic explorers began. Then in 1933, the first full-scale effort to broadcast for the public began from the Antarctic. The Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition transmitted via Shortwave radio over 10,000 miles to CBS in New York who then aired a 30-minute program once per week to their listening audience. The broadcast was both a vehicle through which the expedition was supported and a public relations blitz to ensure public support for Byrd’s Antarctic Exploits. General Foods, through their Grape Nuts Cereal product sponsored the broadcasts and provided large quantities of the cereal for the expedition. They benefited through the use of in-store displays connecting their product with the program and urging listeners to mail in box tops for premium gifts. A newspaper was printed in four editions during the expedition called the South Pole Radio News, and was used to encourage listening and to supplement the information heard on the program.
Moderator: Grace Provenzano, San Francisco State University
Panelists: Stephen Perry, Illinois State University