True Family Collection on Charles D. Herrold, 1890-1959
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Herrold, Charles D. True, Stephen Greb, Gordon
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 9 linear feet (10 boxes)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
True Family Collection on Charles D. Herrold. History San Jose Research Library
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Papers originally belonging to Charles "Doc" Herrold, documenting his early inventions and pioneer broadcasting in San Jose, as well as his later career through the 1930s. Most of the papers were assembled into eight binders by Herrold's grandchildren Jim and Steven True, with the help of broadcasting historian Gordon G. Greb, who used the material as research for his book with Mike Adams, "Charles Herrold, Inventor of Radio Broadcasting." A typed index of the documents in the binders was compiled by Greb and Stephen True. The collection also includes several folders of early notes from Herrold's astronomy courses at Stanford University, as well as material from the 1959 "Golden Anniversary of Broadcasting" and several clippings on Herrold's legacy dating to 2009. The collection includes one photo album with many images of Herrold and his wireless students conducting outdoor experiments; the True family; Herrold's early inventions; Station KQW and Herrold's radio engineering school in San Jose.
- Biographical / historical:
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Charles David Herrold is best known for broadcasting the first regularly scheduled programming from his radio station in San Jose, California, known originally as FN and later KQW. In 1949 it became KCBS. Herrold was an astronomy and physics student at Stanford University, before leaving to pursue his wireless inventions and founding the Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless in downtown San Jose. Herrold went on to work at Oakland's KTAB and sold advertising for multiple radio stations in the Bay Area. He died in 1948 in Hayward.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated to History San Jose in 2021 by the True family.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open to the public for research by appointment.
- Terms of access:
-
Contact History San Jose Research Library for reproduction and publication.
- Preferred citation:
-
True Family Collection on Charles D. Herrold. History San Jose Research Library
- Location of this collection:
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1661 Senter RoadSan Jose, CA 95112, US
- Contact:
- (408) 287-2290