Our History
President Harding was in the White House, Sinclair Lewis's novel, "Babbit," was newly published, theater patrons were frightened by F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu and amused by Harold Lloyd in Grandma's Boy. The year was 1922 — the year that WBAA received its license to broadcast.

Wireless
As early as 1910, Purdue University was experimenting with the newfangled invention called "wireless" or "radio." By 1918, classroom instruction in radio communication began at Purdue in conjunction with the United States Army Signal Corps. Code station 9YB, the forerunner of WBAA, was licensed in 1919.

On April 4, 1922, WBAA was licensed to operate with low power and limited hours. During the early days, 9YB and WBAA shared transmitting equipment so the transmitter had to be reconfigured depending upon which license the station was operating under.

Moving Up
By 1923, WBAA was operating with increased power and an expanded schedule that included lectures on farm problems, science, and industry as well as accounts of athletic events. In 1926, the "Electrola" recording technique was developed and Robert H. Goddard fired his first liquid fuel rocket. In 1927, WBAA moved from the basement to the first floor of the "old" Electrical Engineering Building. The new studios were acoustically treated with burlap. On the move again in 1928, WBAA studios relocated to the third floor of the "new" Electrical Engineering Building.

Tough Times
The year 1929 was rough for WBAA and the nation. On March 14, fire destroyed WBAA's studios and on October 24, "Black Thursday" struck the stock market. WBAA and the nation started the process of rebuilding.

New Home
WBAA was back on the air on January 25, 1930. The next big move for WBAA came in 1941 when the studios moved to their present home in Elliott Hall of Music. Just as WBAA studios moved from place to place, WBAA's location on the AM radio dial also shifted over the years. Originally licensed at 834 kilocycles, it changed to 1100 kilocycles in 1925, to 1400 kilocycles in 1928, to 890 kilocycles in 1934, and finally to its present location at 920 kilocycles in 1941.

Strong Foundation
WBAA has a rich history as the longest continually operating radio station in Indiana. The people and programs that listeners have heard over the years on WBAA are too numerous to mention. From news, educational programs, sports coverage, and music broadcasts, WBAA has enriched the lives of countless listeners since 1922. Likewise, it is impossible to individually thank the many former staff, listeners, and supporters who have made WBAA's programming possible. The current staff and management of WBAA-AM 920, and companion station WBAA-FM 101.3, are grateful to all who have contributed to WBAA's past and, in the process, built the foundation for WBAA's future.

PHOTO TOP LEFT: 1927 - The control room of WBAA on the first floor of the old Electrical Engineering Building.

PHOTO BOTTOM LEFT: 1936 - "Just Kids," one of the first Saturday morning programs designed for children, was hosted by Al Stewart.

PHOTO TOP RIGHT: 1964 - A radio production for WBAA's School of the Air. From left to right Ray Wolf, Richard Forsythe, Bill Shigley, and Brooke Balkema.

PHOTO BOTTOM RIGHT: 1993 - On February 1, WBAA-FM goes on the air. Station Manager Dan Skinner interviews Walter Lupke, Jr., Class of 1942 campaign chairperson; co-president Janet Adams; and Purdue President Steven Beering.