Muriel Robert

During 1939 Muriel Robert was hired to work for RCA/NBC at the New York Worlds Fair. She was to play an important part in the Television Exhibit at the RCA building. Her new title was to be "Miss Television" and she would become what is known today as an anchor host for live television broadcasting. She was part of a very small cast which also included Teressa Harris, Virginia Hare and Phyllis Greare. One can only imagine how exciting it must have been to interview fair attendees, whom came from all walks of life. Of course there was a vast amount of broadcast subject matter already on exhibit from the various countries, companies and entertainment mediums in New York. Her work is historically important in that she was Americas first talk show hostess and introduced a variety of performers/acts like Whistling Willie, a professional whistler from the Florida State Exhibit, Demonstrations by speed typists from the Underwood Exhibit, Monty Moses, amateur magician, and the Orange Blossom Quartet. She made broadcast history on August 5, 1939 when Mercer, the international Grand Champion "Firestone" steer and two Borden's caves became the first farm animals ever to be televised. Mercer was interviewed by Miss Television (Miss Muriel Robert)along Miss Gladys LaVance, former rodeo rider and now chief of information staff at the Ford Exhibit to kick off National Farm Week. Muriel Robert should be considered a true television pioneer. At the time of her broadcasts there were only about 100 televisions in America, and most of them were at the New York Worlds Fair and in New York City.