History of Cable
Community Antenna Television (CATV), commonly called cable TV, was invented to solve a dire consumer problem: poor TV reception. Rabbit ears and rooftop antennas don't suffice for people who live in valleys where nearby hills block good over-the-air reception, such as in the upper Appalachian mountains. In fact, according to the Pennsylvania Cable TV association , cable TV began in Pennsylvania (although others contend that CATV was born in Oregon). The following message was posted on the mailing list of the Society of Cable Television Engineers:
SITEOF THE FIRST COMMUNITY ANTENNATELEVISION INSTALLATIONIN THE UNITED STATES.COMPLETED, FEBRUARY 1949ASTORIA, OREGONCABLE TELEVISIONWAS INVENTED ANDDEVELOPED BYL. E. 'ED' PARSONS ...
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