Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On September 3, 1948, Bill Riley hosted the “Hey Bob Show” for the first time on KRNT Des Moines. A children’s radio program recorded live, the show focused on child safety and drew in large audiences of devoted fans.
Originally dreamed up by Robert Hassett, a former Des Moines City Traffic Engineer and eventual Manager of the Des Moines Safety Council, the show focused on making child safety exciting and fun. The program featured the “Safety Legion Club” and gave members a chance to earn badges and attend events. Recorded at the Paramount Theater, the KRNT Theater, and Hoyt Sherman Place, the 29-year-old Bill Riley anchored the program.
Sponsored by the New Utica Clothing Company and Continental Banking Company, the show invited live guests to thrill the gathered audience of Des Moines area children each week during the thirty-minute program. Coco the Clown proved a popular guest, and often, more than 1,000 kids turned out to see the program and watch cartoon reels after the taping.
The show’s slogan, “What do you yell when you see a traffic violation? Hey, Bob!”, nodded to the program’s founder. The show also featured a full-sized dummy named “Hey Bob,” which for years was on display at the Iowa State Fair. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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