How Technology Delivers Democracy: A Visual Tale

The history of political conventions is long and storied. Over the course of time, technology and the network have played important roles in introducing new communication channels and engagement opportunities to the political process.

1831

1960

1992

The first political convention takes place in Baltimore.1

1840

19241948 Broadcast networks

begin covering conventions.4

Newspapers across the country gain access to convention news via the telegraph.2

The first radio broadcast of a convention ushers in a new political era.3

1952 80% of U.S. households tune in to watch the first nationally televised convention.5

1968 Networks provide an unprecedented 85 hours of convention coverage.7

1960

1980 Broadcast networks reduce coverage to a few hours each night.9

During the first televised presidential debate, 77M viewers watch as JFK squares off against Nixon.6

2005 The first inaugural address is captured in HD.20

1992 With nomination of Bill Clinton, convention viewership reaches an all-time high of 40.5M households.18

1988 Conventions are as scripted as primetime programs, leaving journalists with little to cover.17

2004 After generating over $50M in contributions, Howard Dean is recognized as the first politician to raise awareness through the internet.19

2008 As winner of the first “internet election,” Obama outperforms McCain In both social media supporters and poll results.21

1984 CONUS 1 Satellite Truck introduces mobile news gathering and transmission. For first time, reporters can air live reports from anywhere in the U.S.16

2012 The DNC pioneers streaming comprehensive live coverage;22 The RNC installs 80 miles of cable in the Tampa Bay convention center.23

1880 Graham Bell patents the first optical telephone system.11

1996 The first all-fiber cable is laid across the Pacific,26 supporting global internet expansion

2009 The U.S. switches to Digital TV (DTV).28

1956 Fiber by rod-in-tube method is created.13

1960

2015 CNN streams the first-ever live news event in virtual reality: the Democratic Presidential Debate.24

1960

The concept of fiber light transmission is proven in France.10

A glass rod system is created to guide light images for television.12

Digital standards for TV are proven feasible.25

1960

Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) becomes the longest single-cable network in the world.25

1790

1955

1990

1997

1960

Live telephone traffic is transmitted through fiber optics.15

1977

1960

Level 3® Vyvx® provides live feeds and 24-hour online convention access.

2015

1979 The creation of C-SPAN establishes the presence of cameras in Congress.13

1- Politico, First National Political Convention Held: Dec. 13, 1831, Dec. 2007. 2- History, 5 Things You May Not Know About U.S. Political Conventions, Aug. 2012. 3- Poynter, The First Convention Broadcast: Radio at the 1924 Conventions, Sept. 2004. 4- The New York Times, 1948: Live… From Philadelphia… It’s the National Conventions, April 17, 1988. 5- NPR, Remembering the First Nationally Televised Convention, July 8, 2002. 6- The Learning Network, Sept. 26, 1960 | First Televised Presidential Debate, Sept. 26, 2011. 7- Los Angeles Times, ‘92 Democratic Convention: Campaign: Getting the Picture, July 16, 1992. 8- NPR, Media Coverage of Conventions Has Changed, Aug. 22, 2008. 9- LA Times, Networks Limit Convention Time, July 13, 2004. 10- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 11- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 12- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 13- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 14- Cisco Press, Optical Network Design and Implementation, 2004, page 50. 15- C-SPAN, Our History. 16- Newseum, CONUS 1 Satellite Truck, 2016. 17- Chicago Tribune, Arledge Predicts Less Convention Air Time, Aug. 18, 1988. 18- The Nielsen Company, Democratic and Republican Conventions, 2012. 19- Northeastern University, Technology | U.S. Political Conventions & Campaigns | Media & Debates. 20- Broadcasting & Cable, History Lesson: Yes! This Year’s Conventions Will Be the First to Broadcast in HD, June 6, 2008. 21- The Guardian, The First Election the Internet Won, Nov. 4, 2008. 22- Examiner, Online Coverage for the ‘2012 Democratic National Convention’ Unique, Sept. 2, 2012. 23- Government Technology, 3 Ways Tech Is Transforming Political Conventions, Aug. 28, 2012. 24- CNN, CNN Will Live Stream Democratic Debate in Virtual Reality, Sept. 24, 2015. 25- Benton Foundation, The Origins and Future Prospects of Digital Television, 2016. 26- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 27- Cable Organizer, The History & Production of Fiber Optics, 2016. 28- Cyber College, The Beginning of U.S. Cable Television, April 22.

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