The Big Idea (American TV series)

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]

For other uses, see Big Idea (disambiguation).
The Big Idea
Presented byDonn Bennett (host)
Ray Wood (panelist)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time30 Minutes
Release
Original networkDuMont
Original releaseDecember 15, 1952 (1952-12-15) –
October 22, 1953 (1953-10-22)

Overview

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

As with many DuMont series, no episodes are known to exist.

See also

References
  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. 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. 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. "Inventors Find Buyers Through TV". Calgary Herald. NANA. February 9, 1953. p. 24. Retrieved November 22, 2022.

Bibliography
  • David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004) ISBN 1-59213-245-6
  • Alex McNeil, Total Television, Fourth edition (New York: Penguin Books, 1980) ISBN 0-14-024916-8
  • Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows, Third edition (New York: Ballantine Books, 1964) ISBN 0-345-31864-1


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