Current Website

Memories of WBRU in the 1960s

Pre-1960 WBRU History

Information obtained here is primarily from the Brown Alumni Magazine (BAM) archives.  Supplementary information is solicited from anyone having archival data or memories to write up.  Send them to the contact at the bottom of this page.

History of WBRU AM

In 1936, David Borst ('40) and George Abraham ('40) stretched copper wires through treetops to connect radios in Brown dorm rooms, and the Brown Net was created -- the oldest college radio station in the country.  Later, Borst ran 30,000 feet of wire through the underground steam tunnels, because the wires in the trees sparked in the rain!  All of this for 2 watts of broadcast power.

In 1940 Borst and Abraham founded the Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS), and its first convention drew representatives from 13 colleges.  IBS now has nearly 1000 member stations. 

• Read more of the history in the BAM archives
• David Borst Obituary in the BAM archives
• David Borst Biography/Obituary on the IBS site
• George Abraham Obituary in the BAM archives - need to scroll down

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These pages have been created and are maintained by Fred Brack ( Email Fred ) .
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