The Radio Corporation of America (RCA), prior to the commencement of the Second World War, played a vital and central role in the advancement of television. It was formed on 17 October 1919 to combat the growing influence of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph (MWT) Company in international communications. After the First World War, the USA had become increasingly aware of the importance of communications for military, commercial and public uses, but at that time the only nonmilitary source of such services available to the country was an organisation owned and controlled by foreign (British) interests, namely, the MWT Company of America. The possible complete dependence upon such a business was a matter of much concern, particularly to the US Navy Department, as it was probably the main user and advocate of long distance wireless communications. This apprehension was compounded when the USA's General Electric company, which held some fundamental and extremely vital patents covering the Alexanderson alternator, made it known that it was negotiating exclusive licensing rights to the alternator with the British company. The company wished to buy 24 Alexanderson alternators, 14 for the American Marconi company and the remainder for the British firm.

Inspec keywords: telegraphy; military communication; television equipment

Other keywords: Alexanderson alternator; international communications; Radio Corporation of America; British interests; military communications; Sarnoff; wireless communications; General Electric Company; RCA; British company; television advancement; Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company; American Marconi company; MWT Company of America; nonmilitary source; US Navy Department

Subjects: Television and video equipment, systems and applications