Archival Dispatch: 10 Master Broadcasts Dated Across Eb and Zeb and General Electric's Excursions in Science
Date:
Author: radio index
Reading: 2 min
Tags: Eb and Zeb, General Electric, Excursions in Science, Paricutin, Radiology, OTR Comedy, Original Filenames
Batch 20 Forensic Discoveries
Batch 20 resolves 10 historic transcribed broadcasts: 6 syndicated 1935–1936 daily episodes of the country store humor series Eb and Zeb (including the original 1935 audition disc and key master syndicated episodes), and 4 wartime episodes of General Electric's educational science docudrama Excursions in Science (including reports on the birth of Mexico's Parícutin volcano and wartime industrial radiology).
1. Eb and Zeb — 1935–1936 Country Store Comedy Discs Dated
Created and performed by Al Pearce and Bill Wright as two opinionated small-town general store proprietors:
| Original Circulating Filename | Canonical Title | Verified Airdate | Comedy Plot |
|---|---|---|---|
Eb_Zeb_Taking_Inventory_Audition.mp3 |
"Taking Inventory (Audition Disc)" | 1935-01-07 | Rare master audition disc introducing Eb and Zeb's general store in Iowa. |
Eb_Zeb_Episode_163.mp3 |
"Eb and Zeb Episode 163: The Court Witness" | 1935-08-21 | Eb is subpoenaed as a witness in a neighboring county fence line dispute. |
Eb_Zeb_Great_Physical_Shape.mp3 |
"Eb and Zeb Episode 214: Great Physical Shape" | 1935-10-18 | Physical fitness and diet fads sweep the general store counter. |
Eb_Zeb_Visit_A_Lawyer.mp3 |
"Eb and Zeb Episode 282: Visit a Lawyer in Town" | 1936-01-15 | A comical consultation in town regarding local township property taxes. |
Eb_Zeb_Episode_373.mp3 |
"Eb and Zeb Episode 373: The Pickled Pigs Feet" | 1936-05-01 | General store inventory mishap involving spoiled barrel provisions. |
Eb_Zeb_Hector_Praised.mp3 |
"Eb and Zeb Episode 401: Hector Praised" | 1936-06-05 | Town celebration honoring local dog Hector leads to absurd boasting. |
2. Excursions in Science — General Electric Wartime Master Discs (1943–1944)
Produced by General Electric's Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York:
| Original Circulating Filename | Canonical Title | Verified Airdate | Scientific Breakthrough |
|---|---|---|---|
Excursions_Science_Radiology_Wartime.mp3 |
"Excursions in Science: Radiology and X-Ray in Wartime" | 1943-09-15 | Industrial million-volt X-ray machines inspecting wartime armor plate and munitions. |
Excursions_Science_Energy_Of_Sun.mp3 |
"Excursions in Science: The Energy of the Sun" | 1943-10-20 | Solar energy physics and thermoelectric converters. |
Excursions_Science_Simple_Experiments.mp3 |
"Excursions in Science: Simple Experiments for the Home" | 1943-11-17 | Physics and chemistry demonstrations designed for wartime high school classrooms. |
Excursions_Science_Mexicos_New_Volcano.mp3 |
"Excursions in Science: Mexico's New Volcano (Parícutin)" | 1944-01-19 | Eyewitness geological report on the sudden eruption of the Parícutin volcano in Michoacán. |