The United States Presidential Inauguration has always been a time when the latest technologies are used to capture the day and share it with the world.
We’ve come a long way from George Washington’s inauguration in 1789: his only audience was select members of Congress. No photographs were taken of the event, no audio recorded—since neither was invented yet—and newspapers didn’t even print a copy of his speech!
Looking back over past inaugurations is like taking a walk back through history’s greatest telecommunications achievements. Check out these Inaugural firsts:
First inaugural address to be reproduced in a newspaper: James Madison, 1809
James Madison, President of the United States, engraving by D. Edwin, Library of Congress
First use of the telegraph and first inauguration to be featured in a newspaper illustration: James Polk, 1845
Engraving in the Illustrated London News, 1845, Library of Congress
First inauguration known to be photographed: James Buchanan, 1857
James Buchanan Inauguration, east front of the U. S. Capitol, Albumen print,1857, Library of Congress
First use of motion picture camera: William McKinley, 1897
First radio broadcast: Calvin Coolidge, 1925
source: www.learnnc.org
First televised broadcast: Harry S. Truman, 1949
First live Internet broadcast: Bill Clinton, 1997
source: clinton4.nara.gov
What will be the next great technology to change the way we experience and remember Inauguration?
Special thanks to our guest blogger, Briana Gerrish, for writing today’s post!
