KPTV’s First Test Pattern

Portland’s local Fox-affiliated television station, KPTV channel 12 signed on the
air Saturday September 20, 1952 on channel 27, as Oregon’s first television
station, as well as the world’s first commercial TV station on the UHF band. The
station was originally owned by Empire Coil and since it was the only TV station
at the time, it carried all four networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and the now-defunct
DuMont Television Network.

KPTV founder Herbert Mayer (above) delivered the 
inaugural address from Portland’s Benson Hotel.

Italian actress Sophia Loren (Sofia Villani Scicolone) was the first
actress of the talkie era to win an Academy Award for a non-English-
speaking performance, for her portrayal of Cesira in the 1960 film
Two Women.

1957

From left: Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint in the ‘Producer’s Showcase’ presentation of “Our Town” on NBC-TV.

Bing Crosby’s home at Toluca Lake

Adam West, born William West Anderson in Walla Walla, Washington, is
best known for his lead role in the Batman ABC television series from 
1966 to 1968 and the 1966 Batman feature film.