Art

The history of Philadelphia television is the history of television in America. Philo Farnsworth, credited with inventing television, performed some of his earliest experiments at the Franklin Institute and at 1230 Mermaid Lane. Those experiments led to the city's first television station, W3XE. Channel 3 was also the first local station in the country to broadcast in color. WCAU-TV Channel 10 constructed the first building in the world designed specifically as a television station. WFIL created one of the most iconic shows in television history, American Bandstand, as well as Action News, which has helped Channel 6 stay on top of the ratings for most of the last 40 years. Dick Clark, Ed McMahon, Ernie Kovacs, Tom Snyder, David Brenner, Maury Povich, Kelly Ripa, Brian Williams, and others are among those who have worked in Philadelphia television throughout its history.

Pittsburgh has been part of the film industry since the days of silent film. Yet, it was not until the 1951 classic Angels in the Outfield—set at Forbes Field—that the Steel City had its first major role on the silver screen. Greater Pittsburgh's film and television industry has since produced everything from the beloved children's program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to the cult classic Night of the Living Dead. Most recently, Christopher Nolan has chosen to set the conclusion to his Batman trilogy in the city. From the first nickelodeon and film row of those early days to the locations and cutting-edge sets of today, local author John Tiech takes a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh cinema.