A hundred years ago, the New York Sun, May 14, 1914, reports that the voice of Enrico Caruso was broadcast from New York to Philadelphia. The broadcast took place from the roof of the Wanamaker Department Store, and was also announced in the advertisement shown here.

The paper reports that “scores of amateur wireless enthusiasts in Greater New York and along the Jersey coast were mystified over hearing through their receivers the voice of Caruso singing.” The “tenor’s phonographic tones were clearly heard by the operator at the wireless station at the Wanamaker store in Philadelphia,” and also that a “commercial message, dealing with ordinary business of the day” was transmitted as well.

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