The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) in Los Angles established
the Emmy Awards for television production as part of public relations. The first
Emmy Awards were presented on Tuesday, January 25, 1949 at the Hollywood
Athletic Club, originally to honor shows produced and aired locally in the Los
Angeles area. The first recipient of an Emmy during that ceremony was Shirley 
Dinsdale for Most Outstanding Television Personality. The ventriloquist had a 
15-minute show on KTLA five days per week. After her TV career declined in 
the 1950s, she became a cardiopulmonary therapist. She died of cancer at
age 72 in 1999.

 Ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale with her puppet Judy Splinters.

 
Shirley Dinsdale receiving her Emmy