Print Media History
For most people, two individuals come to mind when thinking of the history of print media in St. Louis: Elijah Lovejoy and Joseph Pulitzer. But many more contributed to the local history of the print medium, and their different publications, which number in the hundreds, show a colorful developmental process through the centuries. The St. Louis Print Hall of Fame, founded in 2006, honors St. Louis print personnel for their contributions, both locally and nationally, to the industry. Members are nominated by our Board of Directors, and, from the list of nominees, voters choose those who are inducted. Questions or comments about the St. Louis Print Hall of Fame should be directed to history@swbell.net.
Radio Media History
Wireless transmissions were a reality in St. Louis as early as 1912 when St. Louis University broadcast weather information in Morse Code, but it wasn't until 1920 that voice transmission became a reality here. Then two boy-genius engineers built a transmitter in their basements in South St. Louis and broadcast results of the Harding-Cox presidential election. Those men, William E Woods and Lester Benson, built several more transmitters through their Benwood company and eventually became station owners. Our radio website traces the development of the radio industry in St. Louis and highlights those who worked in it. The St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame, founded in 2001, honors St. Louis radio personnel for their contributions, both locally and nationally, to the radio industry. Members are nominated by our Board of Directors, and, from the list of nominees, voters choose those who are inducted. Questions or comments about the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame should be directed to history@swbell.net.
Television Media History
After experimentation that began in St. Louis in the late 1920s, the market was readying itself for the television age in the early 1940s, but U.S. involvement in World War II brought all such technological development to a standstill. As soon as the war ended, The Pulitzer Company resumed its efforts to procure a license for a television station and was able to put KSD-TV on the air in 1947. Those companies wishing to follow quickly were stymied when the Federal Communications Commission, citing a huge backlog of applicants, instituted what would become a four-year "hold" on all new stations, thus granting KSD-TV a virtual market monopoly in its early years. Many companies tried to put television stations on the air locally. Not everyone succeeded. This site shows the history of those efforts.
Advertising/PR History
St. Louis, like all other cities, saw an ebb and flow of agencies over time. Because of international consolidation, many of the local large shops became part of world-wide conglomerates, which gave rise to boutique shops in the market. Still, many memorable campaigns had their roots in St. Louis, and the city has been home to many creative people.
Digital History
Digital media dominate our lives. We carry with us our connection to the world, and we cherish having news and information come to us rather than having to seek it out as we did for centuries. Today's digital media shape our perceptions and our relationships and color our perspective. St. Louis is a key player in this remarkable technological evolution. The path toward constant communication was paved with innovation that originated and first flourished here. In 2016, the Foundation added a new wing to the Media Hall of Fame to honor the remarkable people and accomplishments leading this evolution, and to preserve significant examples of digital excellence.