A couple of pictures is worth a couple thousand words. Take a look at WRAL Master Control in September 1974. The picture looks more like the launch control command center in a cold war era diesel submarine.

WRAL Master Control in September 1974

Fast forward to a picture of WRAL Master Control in 2013. It puts the bridge of Star Trek’s “Starship Enterprise” to shame!

WRAL Master Control in 2013

The technology has changed, but one constant in the two photos is “The Admiral” himself, Tommie Bland. Many of you know that Tommie served in the US Navy. It is proper and fitting to still have Tommie in the Captain’s chair to boldly take WRAL where no station has gone before…after receiving the command from higher up! Carry on.

Thanks to Corp’s Pam Allen for this capcom story. Pam Parris Allen is a former WRAL newscast producer/director who now works as a researcher and producer on the CBC History Project.