The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-19

the fail of 1881 over WKBF under
the direction of William A. Evans,
director of publications, and of Miss
Blanche Young, assistant director.
Early in 1882 Miss Young
launched THE School Ship of the
Air" better known as the "Shut-in
Program" For one-half hour every
Wednesday night listeners-in heard
stories, musical numbers and geog-
raphy skits presented by students.
All youngsters who wrote in be-
came imaginary sailors, and includ-
ed children from many hospitals
and orphans homes. Groups writ
ing the most letters were given per-
sonal programs, with the first being
staged by Riley Hospital group.
After approximately Is hours on
the air and with approximately 90
900 listeners, the department was
abolished al the end of a year.
Re-established Last Year
The first program after it's re-
establishment Feb. 10, 1885, marked
the founders day of the National
Congress of Parents and Teachers.
The current program is broadcast
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day of each week over WFBM. APP
proximately 40 schools, equipped
with radios, supplement their pro-
grams with material published by
the Ohio School of the Air and the
American School of the Air.
This year we have tried to create
a definite number of listeners" Miss
Young said, "by appealing to more
specified vacations. We are trying
to do three things: Plan programs
for junior high school social stud
les; write ones of interest to adults
citizenship. etc.; and present in
formation for the public as well as
for pupils classes"
She cited trip to the weather
bureau when j. H. Arlington,
meteorologist U. S. Weather Bu-
reau, was asked questions sent in to
the studio by children; dramatic
settlement of Indiana, talk on In
dianapolis architecture by Wilbur
D. Peat, John Heron Art Institute
director, and talk on state parks.
Before the indianapolis SYM
phony concerts this year the de-
partment has presented Mr.. and
MS. 0vnphony, family group,
who discussed concerts for the in
terest of grade and high school
pupils rs we'll as the public
Tried Out in Schools
Programs are tried out in the
schools and the best ones are given
additions. AS strange as it may
seem, Miss Young confesses, there
have been but few mishaps.
1.-The adults are more self-con-
scious than the children-why, one
teacher is more fused than four
children"
Miss Young won't admit to ner-
vousnesS at the microphone.
II have too many other things to
worry about-the equipment, the
production, direction, announcing
and the sound effects. And we have
lots of fun with the sound effects.
4 VI Vic 0CbUlClIlCAlU VI 1llOAdAl1
sketch we needed churn, and the
only article of such a nature was a
cocktail shaker"
For sound effects the new cast
has a door especially made to ini-
tate the opening and closing of the
office door and a small bell oper-
ated by two dry cells to initiate a
telephone.
The continuity for the broadcasts
is written by Miss Young. Before
long she hopes to have staff of
teachers to assist in the preparation
of sketches.
Within the last year approximate
ly 600 amateurs including children
and assisting citizens have been
presented. The department is an
associate member of the National
Association of Educational Broad
casters.