Innovator John Winegard: Iowa Time Machine March 29, 1921

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On March 29, 1921, innovative Iowan John Winegard was born in Burlington. A critical inventor and innovator in the realm of antennas, radio, and television, Winegard left a technological and business legacy that stretched from eastern Iowa to the moon.

Winegard developed an interest in radios while growing up in eastern Iowa. As a seventh grader, Winegard constructed a one-tube radio. He furthered his knowledge by reading numerous technical articles and building radios for others. Winegard graduated from high school in 1939 and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to apprentice at Collins Radio Company.

After receiving additional communications training from the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Winegard established a radio shop in Omaha, Nebraska, but eventually returned to Burlington. In 1948, Winegard began making TV antennas, one of which was used to receive Burlington’s very first TV picture. In fact, he built an antenna that enabled many Burlington residents to watch the 1949 inauguration of President Harry Truman.

Soon after, Winegard started manufacturing and selling television antennas. In 1952, John Winegard developed the first antenna capable of receiving more than one channel. Over time, Winegard Company developed commercial and government communications products, including contributions to the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which landed on the moon. #Iowa #OTD #History #Innovation #Antenna