We recently acquired a transmitting tube used by the WIBG radio station. These devices control electric current flow in a vacuum. Their functions allowed radio signals to be amplified.
This tube was placed on a wooden mount for display. It was given to Thomas Caldwell, a retired dentist and ham radio operator. It was given to him in 1936 by William Brownback, who was also a radio operator as well as one of Caldwell’s patients.
The WIBG radio station was founded in 1924 as a 50-watt religious station for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elkins Park. It played on channel 1350 AM. St. Paul’s sold the station in 1931. The new for-profit company moved the station to Glenside in 1932.
By 1939, the station was sold to Seaboard Broadcasting. In 1941, the station moved to 1425 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. In 1957, the station was sold to Storer Communications. By this time, WIBG became popular with their “top 40” format. Playing more rock and roll music than their competitors, WIBG was particularly popular among teenagers. Over time, the station became known as “Wibbage”.
The station changed hands several times since then. As ownership changed, so too did the style of music. Everything from rock and roll, disco, R&B, country, and religious music was played over the airwaves. Some of the owners also introduced news, sports, and talk show segments in between the music. WIBG is still around as of 2022. It is currently headquartered in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Sources:
“About WIBG Radio,” WIBG. https://www.wibg.com/about
“History of Philadelphia radio station 990 WNTP (Salem Communications),” Philadelphia Radio Archives. “http://www.phillyradioarchives.com/history/wntp
Fuhrmann Doug, “Local History: WIBG Radio 99 dominated the airwaves.” The Daily Journal, June 18, 2015. https://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/history/2015/06/18/local-history-wibg-radio-99-dominated-the-airwaves/28932459/
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