Joseph Nathan Kane Collection
type: FindingAid
type: Document
description: Catalog Record: http://lccn.loc.gov/96702168
conforms to: General International Standard for Archival Description
publisher: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
encoded as: Joseph Nathan Kane Collection
topic: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
subject: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
has part: Biographical History for: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
topic: Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
subject: Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
topic: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
subject: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-12
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-12
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
topic: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
subject: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
topic: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13
subject: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13
topic: Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
subject: Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
topic: Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939
subject: Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939

General International Standard for Archival Description
type: Standard

Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
type: Repository
type: Organization
type: Agent
country code: US
maintenance agency code: US-DLC
is publisher of: Joseph Nathan Kane Collection
administers: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
provides access to: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
provides access to: Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
provides access to: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-12
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
provides access to: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13
provides access to: Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
provides access to: Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939

Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
type: SpatialThing
is administered by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.

Joseph Nathan Kane Collection
type: EAD
type: Document
description: Finding aid encoded by Marsha Maguire, 2009
created: 2009
conforms to: Encoded Archival Description
conforms to: Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
encoding of: Joseph Nathan Kane Collection

Encoded Archival Description
type: Standard

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
type: Standard

Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
type: ArchivalResource
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: collection
extent: .5 linear feet (1 box)
extent: 116 sound recordings, including 110 sound discs and 6 sound tape reels
extent: 1 microphone
language: eng
origination: Kane, Joseph Nathan, 1899-2002
has biographical history: Biographical History for: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
scopecontent: Scope and Content Note The Joseph Nathan Kane Collection consists of original and preservation recordings of the radio program Famous First Facts, scripts and publicity materials from the program, and a vintage 1930s microphone. Recordings from the program include 106 12-inch 78-rpm acetate discs, four 16-inch 78-rpm acetate discs, and six 10-inch tape reels (preservation copy). The paper materials date from 1938 to 1939 and include one folder of publicity materials and 21 scripts dating from November, 1938, to July, 1939.
other finding aids: http://lccn.loc.gov/96702168
type: Aggregation
type: Collection
has part: Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
aggregates: Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
has part: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
aggregates: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
has part: Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
aggregates: Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
has part: Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939
aggregates: Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939

collection
type: Level
type: Concept

.5 linear feet (1 box)
type: Extent
label: 116 sound recordings, including 110 sound discs and 6 sound tape reels
label: 1 microphone

Kane, Joseph Nathan, 1899-2002
type: Agent
is origination of: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939

Biographical History for: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
type: BiographicalHistory
type: Document
type: DocumentPart
body: Biographical Note Joseph Nathan Kane (1899-2002) was a radio host and author of the standard reference works Famous First Facts, Facts about the States, and Facts about the Presidents, among others. Born in New York City, Kane attended Columbia University in 1917 but dropped out before finishing his degree. He then enrolled at the Columbia School of Engineering, earning a certificate in electrical engineering. After graduating Kane worked in the export office of the New York confectioner D. Auerbach and Sons, using his language skills in French, German, and Spanish. While there he began to write articles about the export business. From this initial effort, Kane syndicated his columns to several trade journals, capitalizing on their popularity by creating the Kane Feature News Syndicate and becoming an accredited correspondent for the U.S. State Department. Kane traveled extensively throughout the United States, gathering information for his columns and visiting every state and almost every city. While doing research for a book on inventions, he found that many inventors and innovators were never given proper credit. His decision to correct this oversight resulted in his first publication, Famous First Facts. Building on the book's success, Kane was asked to host a radio program of the same title. Guests who claimed a place in the show’s "hall of famous firsts" represented a wide range of activity and included the holder of the first safety pin patent, the victim of the first auto accident, the first X-ray photographer in the United States, and the first woman taxicab driver. Kane, billed as an eminent authority on "firsts," would either reject or accept a guest's claim to fame. The half-hour program was broadcast on New York radio station WOR over the Mutual Broadcasting network from August 1, 1938, until July 13, 1939. The on-air interviewer for most of the programs was Tom Slater. In 1959 Facts about the Presidents was published and soon became a staple in most li…
topic: Kane, Joseph Nathan, 1899-2002
subject: Kane, Joseph Nathan, 1899-2002
is biographical history for: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
is part of: Joseph Nathan Kane Collection

Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1938-1939, and undated
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: series
extent: 1 folder
scopecontent: Series 1 contains publicity materials from the radio program Famous First Facts. These include press releases from July, 1938, to June, 1939; fact sheets about the program from the WOR Program Department; a script from a 1939 WOR promotional program featuring an interview with guest Joseph Nathan Kane; and two scripts from the radio program, Vanishing New Yorkers.

Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: series
extent: 21 folders
scopecontent: This series contains 21 scripts from Famous First Facts, many if not all, annotated by Joseph Nathan Kane. The series does not contain scripts from the complete run of the program. Beginning with the date of the first broadcast, November 28, 1938, they continue to January 26, 1939, and then run from April 20, 1939, until July 13 of that year. The gap represents February 2 through April 13, 1939.
type: Aggregation
type: Collection
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-12
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-12
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
has part: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
has part: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13
aggregates: Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13

Series 3. Sound Recordings, 1938-1939
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: series
extent: 106 sound discs
extent: 4 sound discs
extent: 6 sound tape reels
scopecontent: Sound recordings in the collection include original 78 rpm discs (12-inch and 16-inch) and analog tape reels (10-inch). The tapes were duplicated from the original discs as a preservation copy by the Library of Congress Recording Laboratory in 1995. Broadcast over the Mutual network, Famous First Facts was an interview program with occasional historical dramatizations. Persons interviewed included, among many others, Frank E. Vanderhoof, author of the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933; Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother’s Day; J. Searle Dawley, an early motion picture director; Mahonri Young, sculptor and grandson of Brigham Young; W.C. Handy, musician; Simon Lake, inventor of the modern-day submarine; Julia C. Stimson, first woman major in the Army Nursing Corps; S.S. McClure, cartoonist; G. Robert Vincent, collector of recordings of famous people; Thomas J. Valentino, creator of recorded sound effects; James Brendan Connolly, medal winner in the 1896 Olympics; Horace M. Albright, conservationist; Glenn L. Martin, airplane designer and builder; Louise Arner Boyd, polar explorer; and William L. Murphy, inventor of the Murphy bed.

Series 4. Microphone, circa 1930-1939
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Joseph Nathan Kane collection 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: series
extent: 1 microphone
scopecontent: Vintage 1930s microphone.

series
type: Level
type: Concept

1 folder
type: Extent
folder: 1

21 folders
type: Extent
folder: 21

Famous First Facts, 1938-11-28
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1938-12-05
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1938-12
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1938-12-19
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1938-12-29
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1938-12-31
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-01-05
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-01-12
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-01-19
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-01-26
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-04-20
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-04-27
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-05-04
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-05-11
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-05-18
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-05-25
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-06-08
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-06-16
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-06-22
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-07-06
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

Famous First Facts, 1939-07-13
type: ArchivalResource
is part of: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
is aggregated by: Series 2. Scripts, 1938-1939
access provided by: Recorded Sound Reference Center, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
level: file

file
type: Level
type: Concept

106 sound discs
type: Extent
label: 4 sound discs
label: 6 sound tape reels

1 microphone
type: Extent