Harold Calin

Harold Wampler Arlin was a pioneering figure in the world of broadcast radio, recognized as one of the first full-time and salaried announcers. Initially employed as an engineer and later a foreman at the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, Arlin made history on November 2, 1920, when he became the first radio announcer to read election returns for the 1920 presidential election on KDKA, the first commercially licensed radio station in the United States. His groundbreaking work marked the beginning of a new era in radio broadcasting, where the role of the announcer became essential to the medium's development. Throughout his career at KDKA, Arlin continued to break new ground by announcing the first radio broadcasts of various sporting events, including baseball, tennis, football, and boxing. His announcements of the baseball game on August 5, 1921, and the tennis match the following day showcased the potential of radio to bring live events to audiences, significantly influencing how sports were consumed by the public. Arlin's contributions to radio not only established him as a key figure in the history of broadcasting but also set the stage for future announcers and the evolution of sports media, solidifying his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry.