June 26, 1922
On this day in 1922, radio station WFAA in Dallas began transmitting. The A. H. Belo Corporation, publisher of the Dallas Morning News and the Texas Almanac, owned WFAA. Initially operating up to 150 watts, the station held many firsts in radio broadcasting in Texas. It pioneered the transmission of educational programs and was the first to produce a radio drama series, “Dramatic Moments in Texas History.” WFAA also became the first radio station in the state to link up with other stations across the country to broadcast nationally a speech given by Calvin Coolidge in 1923. In 1934, WFAA helped form the Texas Quality Group Network with three other Texas stations. As a part of this group, it shared a combined nighttime power of 101,000 watts and carried popular simulcasts such as the Light Crust Doughboys western swing show.