Advertisement from July 21, 1949 Transylvania Times.

Television,
like radio had previously, opened up the world to people across America by
providing quick access to news and events. 
Television added images to the experience.  The first television station in the world was
W2XB in Schenectady, NY, which began operation in 1928.

North Carolina
saw its first two commercial television stations in July 1949 when WBTV in
Charlotte and WFMY-TV in Greensboro went on the air.  Within days people in Brevard were able to
view Charlotte programming each weekday evening.  Brevard businessman John Sledge had been
experimenting with radio and television for over 20 years.  Sledge operated a radio sales and service
shop on Caldwell Street.  He invited
everyone to come by and watch from 7:00 p.m. until signoff.  Sledge also sold Motorola televisions, “for
as low as $190.”  By 1953 Sledge had
competition in the radio and television market from Brevard Radio & TV and
Pearlman’s.

Sledge was
considered a pioneer in radio and television across Western North Carolina.  He demonstrated his hand-built television for
the Asheville Amateur Radio Club on February 28, 1938.  This was the first showing of a televised
picture in Asheville.  The image was sent
by radio from one location to another, in this case just across the room.  In Brevard, Sledge had a transmitter and
other equipment to send images across town. 
He was also able to receive images from television stations throughout
the U.S. on his home-made television.

Byron Olney and John Sledge experiment with radio equipment on Caesar’s Head, circa 1934-35.

Sledge, along
with Bryon Olney, Frank Bridges and Jim Winget, would occasionally take his
equipment to Rich Mountain where they were able to clearly receive an Atlanta
station.  Large crowds would turn out to
view the shows when they set up on the mountain.

John Reese
Sledge died March 19, 1970.  He had begun
experimenting with radio and television as a youth and operated Sledge Radio
& Television for 35 years.

Photographs and
information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit
the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about
our history and see additional photographs. 
For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected] or
828-884-3151 X242.