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The Big Idea (American TV series)

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The Big Idea
Presented byDonn Bennett (host)
Ray Wood (panelist)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time30 Minutes
Original release
NetworkDuMont
ReleaseDecember 15, 1952 (1952-12-15) –
October 22, 1953 (1953-10-22)

The Big Idea is a documentary TV series that was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network. The 30-minute program, which ran from December 15, 1952, to October 22, 1953, focused on modern inventions.[1]

Overview

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Donn Bennett, whose production company owned the show,[2] was the host, and Ray Wood (director of the South Jersey Manufacturers Association)[3] was a regular panelist on the show. Panelists interviewed inventors and commented on the products that they displayed on the show. Those products included an inflatable bathing suit for women, a lighted dartboard, a self-standing golf club, a refrigerated lunch box, and a lunch box that contained a hot plate.[4] The winning inventor in each episode was determined by applause from the studio audience.[5]

The show served as "an intermediary between success-seeking inventors, whose patented ideas need producers or funds, and manufacturers or investors".[6] By early February 1953, manufacturers had bought five inventions demonstrated on the program, and 12 more devices were the subjects of negotiations between inventors and prospective purchasers.[6]

The Big Idea was a local program on WCAU television in Philadelphia for three years before it moved to the network.[5] It was initially broadcast on Mondays from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time, which put it opposite I Love Lucy on CBS. In May 1953, it was moved to 10-10:30 p.m. E.T.[4]

Episode status

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As with many DuMont series, no episodes are known to exist.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 94. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. ^ Panitt, Merrill (September 4, 1952). "Big Idea Gives Inventor Chance to Air Brain Child". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Coppola, Jo (December 19, 1952). "Tele-Tales". Newsday (Nassau Edition). New York, New York City. p. 38. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Lanigan, Bob (January 26, 1953). "All 4 Inventor-Contestants On 'Big Idea' Are Good". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Inventors Find Buyers Through TV". Calgary Herald. NANA. February 9, 1953. p. 24. Retrieved November 22, 2022.

Bibliography

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