TV coverage of the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles was anchored by Brinkley and Huntley, of course. Here's the state-of-the-art on-the-spot technology that enhanced the experience for viewers, according to a Los Angeles Times piece of July 7, 1960 (all are direct quotes):
- 32 cameras which will feed pictures to four split-screen monitors
- Four creepy-peepy cameras slung over roving cameramen's shoulders
- An automobile equipped as a portable TV station
- Another [car equipped] as a complete taping facility
- An internal wire service for the use of various NBC headquarters
- A central control room..virtually a complete network control center
- More gadgets than you can list...and a VIP train to carry network brass through the corridors of the convention venues (which were the Sports Arena, the Coliseum for the acceptance speech, and some events at the Biltmore Hotel)(thank you, KF)
And that's just one network--CBS and ABC had their tech goodies too. BTW, doncha love that industry term, "creepy-peepy"? Is that still used?
According to NBC director Jack Sughrue, every 4 years at convention time the networks debuted new equipment and toys. "TV moves in four-year jumps."
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