Television and Post-War Employment

In the 21st century we have come to think that there was never a time before television. Today's world knows such things as TiVo, IO and satellite cable, which in the time of televisions' first debut in America was unthinkable. Upon this first debut of the idea of television, many thought of it as a way to help the unemployment left by the ending of the war and the lingering effects of the Great Depression. T.F. Joyce, who was the general manager of the Radio-Phonograph-Television Department of the Radio Corporation of America ( RCA) wrote an article on the effects of television on postwar employment.

In his article Joyce reflects on his views on a new nationwide television system. He makes the statement that " The country wants assurance that there will be useful and productive jobs after the war, not only for the ten or twelve million men in the Armed Services, but for the 'surplus' millions of men and women in war production who face possible unemployment when the guns cease firing-or before." This is Joyce's main idea throughout his article, he expresses the countries top concern, this is where the idea of television comes in. Joyce explains that the country is too concerned with material wealth like paper and precious metals, rather than the motivation for its people to show " character". He explains that a unified television system will bring about a great way for businesses, social leaders and other to reach the hearts and eyes of millions of American citizens, which will be another form of value within the country. He explains how if television is brought into the country that it will help create a healthy economy and a healthy life for businesses because of the idea of consumer demand.

According to Joyce he believes that it will help the radio industry because they will be involved in the production of television, as well as help boost employment rates from those involved in war production. Joyce also gives some interesting statistics about how it is estimated that if television is produced immediately following the postwar error, he estimates that " in 1955, there will be over 40,000,000 consumer units in the United States". He stresses that not only will the economy benefit from purchases of television receivers, but how the idea of broadcasting to millions of people will overall " stimulate the consumption of all consumer products". This new idea of broadcasting to Joyce makes him believe that "Television has the power to create consumer demand and the buying of goods and services beyond anything that we have heretofore known".