The Big Idea is a documentary TV series that was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network. The 30-minute program, which ran from December 15, 1952, to October 22, 1953, focused on modern inventions.[1]
| The Big Idea | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Donn Bennett (host) Ray Wood (panelist) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 Minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | DuMont |
| Release | December 15, 1952 – October 22, 1953 |
Overview edit
Donn Bennett, whose production company owned the show,[2] was the host, and Ray Wood (director of the South Jersey Manufacturers Association)[3] was a regular panelist on the show. Panelists interviewed inventors and commented on the products that they displayed on the show. Those products included an inflatable bathing suit for women, a lighted dartboard, a self-standing golf club, a refrigerated lunch box, and a lunch box that contained a hot plate.[4] The winning inventor in each episode was determined by applause from the studio audience.[5]
The show served as "an intermediary between success-seeking inventors, whose patented ideas need producers or funds, and manufacturers or investors".[6] By early February 1953, manufacturers had bought five inventions demonstrated on the program, and 12 more devices were the subjects of negotiations between inventors and prospective purchasers.[6]
The Big Idea was a local program on WCAU television in Philadelphia for three years before it moved to the network.[5] It was initially broadcast on Mondays from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, which put it opposite I Love Lucy on CBS. In May 1953, it was moved to 10-10:30 p.m. E.T.[4]
Episode status edit
As with many DuMont series, no episodes are known to exist.[citation needed]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 94. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ Panitt, Merrill (September 4, 1952). "Big Idea Gives Inventor Chance to Air Brain Child". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Coppola, Jo (December 19, 1952). "Tele-Tales". Newsday (Nassau Edition). New York, New York City. p. 38. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Lanigan, Bob (January 26, 1953). "All 4 Inventor-Contestants On 'Big Idea' Are Good". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Inventors Find Buyers Through TV". Calgary Herald. NANA. February 9, 1953. p. 24. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
Bibliography edit
- David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004) ISBN 1-59213-245-6
- Alex McNeil, Total Television, Fourth edition (New York: Penguin Books, 1980) ISBN 0-14-024916-8
- Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows, Third edition (New York: Ballantine Books, 1964) ISBN 0-345-31864-1
External links edit
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