KDKA Radio 75th Anniversary Paperweight

This paperweight marks the 75th anniversary of KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cast in a lucite block is a section of the old KDKA tower, the first commercial radio tower in the United States.

KDKA, as you may know, was granted the very first US broadcasting license and began broadcasting in November, 1920. The station's history included many radio firsts, such as broadcasting Herbert Hoover's first radio address on January 25, 1921. Erected in 1936, the KDKA tower was the tallest US structure of its time, rising 1,900 feet above sea level, and it remained in service until its replacement in 1994.

You can get one of these mementos by contributing to KDKA's fund drive for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Along with the paperweight, you'll get an informative brochure recounting the station's history and its long affiliation with Children's Hospital.

Regulars at this website may recognize several of the radio images in the brochure. When Amanda Cohen of KDKA contacted me for permission to use some images, I gladly agreed, and she generously sent me a copy of the brochure and one of these cool paperweights.

This is one of the most unusual radio-related items that I own, right down to the weathered layers of orange and white paint (and no small amount of corrosion!) still visible around the edges of the tower section. It's a real kick to have a little slice of American broadcasting history. I keep this item front and center in my display cabinet.

The March, 1996 issue of Antique Radio Classified has a feature article on this topic, with much more historical information.