OTD in early British television: 9 May 1939
John Wyver writes: The evening of Tuesday 9 May was marked by an unfortunate incident in the studio at Alexandra Palace. During a 10-minute edition of Speaking Personally, in which R. B. Bennett, former Prime Minister of Canada, was talking about his country and the state visit of the King and Queen, a studio lamp burst somewhat spectacularly.
None of the splinters of glass reached his face, and as the Daily Telegraph detailed he showed remarkable composure:
This was Mr. Bennett’s first experience of being televised and he had been speaking for hardly a minute when the accident ocurred. He was congratulating the B.B.C. on their pioneering work in television at the moment.
The lamp exploded with a violent report, and as it near the microphone it sounded like a thunderclap to viewers. Viewers saw Mr. Bennett start and falter. Looking towards the camera man he said interrogatively, ‘Stop?’
Told to proceed he did so and had soon fully recovered confidence. He continued for some minutes giving a history of Canada, with special reference to the King’s visit. Afterwards, Miss Jasmine Bligh. the announcer came before the microphone and explained the cause of the interruption, with an apology to Mr. Bennett.
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