Evening star., 1933-09-17
. Ado has developed language
all its oWn-Or two languages,

~ Ado has developed language
all its own-or two languages
to be exact One is the in
i visible language used in the
studios when a program is on
the air and speech is forbidden. The
other is even less comprehensive to the
average layman, for it is the jargon
of the studios spoken only by those
whose activities are centered in and
about the air waves.
When Phil Spitalny and his orches-
ira presented their program Friday
night at the Willard Hotel, the invited
audience had an opportunity to listen
in" and witness the flow of radio Ian
guage The guests. however, missed
the detailed preparations at the re-
hearsal the preceding day.
All members of the technical staff
were present at this rehearsal. The
announcer was there to fit the time
and his announcements. The produc-
ton man, watch in hand, continuously
conferred with Spitalny During this
rehearsal Spitalny often left the con-
ductor's daiS and walked into the con-
troll room, where he listened to the
orchestra as it would be heard over a
loud speaker. In this manner he dis
covered whether any one instrument
or group happened to be a little too
close or too far from the microphone.
When the orchestra was ION the air. u
however, the sign language went into
play. At one point during the broad
cast. the production man approached
Spitalny and placed the tip Of his fore
finger on the end of his nose. Spitalny
returned the greeting. gravely placing
his finger on the tip of his nose. That
was sign the program was running
on time"
Another time. Spitalny ran his hand
across his throat, and held up two fin
gers. That was a signal that the Sc
lection had to be cut" The raised
fingers Indicated the number Of the
passage on the orchestration sheets.
Prior to each selection, while the an
nouncer informed the audience of the
coming number, Spitalny waved his
baton at the orchestra, at the same
time making vertical motions with his
hands. In the sign language OF radio,
he refreshed the memories OF the mu-
sicians as to the tempo and manner
Of playing.
There can never be a wasted moment
on broadcast Each minute, each sec
ond, must be accounted for, musically
or otherwise. The show must be
smooth balanced and well paced. That
is why the sign language in radio came
into existence.
A PENCIL of electrons, reproducing
n President Roosevelt's signature on
fluorescent screen, will open New
York's electrical and radio show
Wednesday when, instead of pressing
the usual telegraph key, the President
in the White House will write out" his
greetings to the New York assemblage.
The device to be used is the electronic
telautograph, which utilities cathode ray
tubes of the type being adapted in the
most modern television experiments.
The electron beam is controlled by
transmitting apparatus which sends the
writing or printed matter by ladio or
wire It consists of a pencil or stylus
that actuates the receiving tubes and
plates. Everyday applications that
have suggested themselves for this de-
vice are communication between air
planes and ground stations. between
small vessels at sea that have no radio
operators and land, Office intercommu-
nication. police broadcasting, noiseless
instructions to broadcast artists and
the sending of difficult characters like
Chinese letters.