Sunday History Photo, Qld

When was the first TV image broadcast in Queensland?

If you thought 1956 or 1959, you’d be wrong. The first TV broadcast was made in 1934 by Thomas Elliott, from the Windmill Tower on Wickham Terrace to an estimated 18 receivers around Brisbane. The Commonwealth Government granted a special license and permission to conduct experimental television by VK4CM, in July 1934. Originally a 30-line system, it expanded to 180 lines in late 1934. The programs included news headlines, still pictures and silent movies such as the temperance film “Horrors of Drink”.
This fascinating piece of technology is carefully stored and cared for by Museum curators, in the storage area of the Queensland Museum.

Image Could Not Be Found
Image Could Not Be Found

Over a period of months, Thomas built a television transmitter reportedly using materials including cotton reels, aluminium discs and Meccano set parts. A receiving set owned by advertising man Alan Campbell included equally diverse materials, such as pieces of aluminium, copper and brass. It had a screen 11cm wide.
The first transmission was made on 10 April 1934 from the observatory to Campbell’s home at Wilston Heights. The first image seen was of actress Janet Gaynor. 4CM was given a television broadcasting license the same year, 1934 and continued to broadcast until all licenses were withdrawn following the outbreak of war in 1939. The group did not resume after the war, but Elliott declared that Australia could have introduced television in the 1930s but for the War.

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