Robert Trout in First Fireside Chat

Basic Information

Name: Robert "Bob" Trout, although originally Robert Albert Blondheim

Nickname: Iron Man of Radio; Big Mouth Billy Bass

Born: October 15th, 1909

Died: November 14th, 2000

Nationality: U.S.A.

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

WORK & EDUCATION

Occupation: Radio broadcaster

Education: N/A

FAMILY & FRIENDS

Parents: N/A

Siblings: N/A

Spouse: N/A

Children: N/A

Friends: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Butcher, Ron Burgundy

Foes: Adolf Hitler, censorship


Analysis

Radio broadcaster Bob Trout is a famous figure in history for two reasons…and neither of those has anything to do with his awesomely fishy last name.

First, he was the one who coined the name "Fireside Chat" on air. Second, he broadcasted the end of World War II on air. As a radio anchorman through the entire Great Depression and World War II, this guy probably knew a thing or two about the world. And he definitely knew a thing or two about making good use of the radio medium.

He was even humble too: while he's the one who said "Fireside Chat" on air, he gave credit to Harry Butcher, one of CBS's vice presidents, for coming up with the name.

Besides announcing the fireside chat and the end of WWII, Trout holds claim to a number of radio firsts. He was the first to broadcast from a flying airplane, and he was the first to broadcast a daily news program. He was basically the un-Ron Burgundy. Trout believed in the power of radio to address people at a personal level, which mirrors FDR's fireside chats perfectly.

To wrap up, here's part of Trout's famous broadcast of the end of World War II:

"The Japanese have accepted our terms fully! That is the word we have just received from the White House in Washington […] This, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the Second World War! The United Nations, on land, on sea, on air are united…and are victorious!" (Source)

In the age before television, you can easily imagine families huddled around the radio, hearing Trout's voice and celebrating with the world.