David Sarnoff
American businessman
David Sarnoff Rank
About David Sarnoff
David Sarnoff was an entrepreneur and the brain behind the growth of the radio and television business in America.
Background
David Sarnoff was raised by Jewish parents in Uzlyany, a small community in the then Russian Empire, now Belarus. His parents were Abraham Sarnoff and Leah Privin.
In 1900, David moved to New York City with his mother and four other siblings. The family sold newspapers and David engaged in the business when he closed from school at the Educational Alliance.
Career Highlights
In June 1906, David started working with the Commercial Cable Telegraph Company.
He further moved on September 30, of that same year to work as an office assistant for Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company in America.
Due to his consistency and hard work, David was promoted to a junior wireless telegraph operator in 1907.
He played a major role in the development of the telecommunications industry. He manned both NBC and the RCA, which saw major growth in the late 1900s.
David Sarnoff is widely known for the popular Sarnoff's law, which states that "the value of a broadcast network is proportional to the number of viewers". This means that the more audience you have the more the value of your network. It further agrees that media thrives on viewership.
In 1938, Oglethorpe University awarded David an honorary degree of Doctor of Commercial Science for the immense impact he's made in the telecommunications industry.
Achievements
In 1975, David became part of the Junior Achievement US Business Hall of Fame.
In 1953, however, he was an acclaimed winner of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame for the Distinguished Service Award.
In 1984 and 1989, after his death, David was accepted into the Television and Radio hall of fame respectively.
The David Sarnoff Library
To honor him, a library and museum containing several manuscripts of David's life were opened to the public. The library was located at Princeton Junction, New Jersey. The New Jersey Antique Radio Club and other social clubs also meet at the library.
The David Sarnoff Radio Club
This club consisted of local amateur radio operators and fanatics. They held their meetings at the David Sarnoff Library.
Trivia
In 1945, David was acclaimed as a Reserve Brigadier General of the Signal Corps.
He was known in the telecommunications industry as "The General", because of his great exploits in radio and television.
David became an honorary member of Omicron Alpha Tau.
Following his death, David was selected for the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
David Sarnoff Rank
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F.A.Q. about David Sarnoff
When is his birthday?
David Sarnoff's birthday is on February 27, 1891.
In how many days is his birthday?
Dávid's birthday is in 296 days
How old was Dávid when he died?
He was 80 years old.
When did he die?
He died in December 12, 1971.
How old would he be today?
David Sarnoff would be 133 years old if he was alive today.
Where was Dávid from?
He was born in Uzlyany near Minsk, Russian Empire (now Belarus).