As local television stations shut off their analog signals yesterday, I couldn't help but think back to an interview I did a few weeks back with Dick Golembiewski.
Better known to most Milwaukeeans as "Dick Nitelinger," he authored "Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years" late last fall. We sat down to chat about the book in March; a few days later, Golembiewski passed away after suffering a heart attack while shoveling snow.
As a history buff, a member of the media and a self-proclaimed geek for all-things-Milwaukee history, I really looked forward to our chat, which ended up being a delightful two-hour discussion on his book, Milwaukee's colorful broadcast history.
I think Dick would have loved today's switchover, especially the historical retrospectives some channels played before flipping the switch. For the most part, those signals have been broadcasting continuously in one way or another for nearly 50 years. And while the non-stop buzz and warnings about the digital switch have been a bit annoying, this truly was a historical day in broadcast history.
Dick is gone now but his legacy lives on through his book. I remember him pointing out that his book, a text-book sized piece had something for everybody: technical explanations for the techy-types, detailed background information for the history buffs and hundred upon hundreds of pictures for those with just a passing interest in a much-overlooked part of our community's heritage.
You can still pick up a copy online or at a local bookseller.
In the meantime, most of the local stations have their sign-off videos posted online. Scroll down and check out the excellent retrospective produced by WISN-TV (12) which is hosted by former anchor Jerry Taff.
