Juri Jaquemet31.03.2025Eurovision was the original name of cooperative pan-European programmes that were first broadcast on TV in the 1950s. This required a sophisticated radio relay network, with technologically advanced Switzerland at its heart.
Juri Jaquemet10.12.2024The Murten fortifications were set up in the First World War to defend Switzerland against an attack from the west by France. Trenches and bunkers were dug in the Bernese Seeland and the area around Murten. Many of these structures actually mark the border between the French and German-speaking parts of the country.
Juri Jaquemet06.01.2023On 6 January 1918, five bombs were dropped near the station in Kallnach, sending shock waves through the ‘Grand Marais’ in Bern’s Seeland region. Fortunately, there was only some damage to property but no casualties. It quickly became clear that the bombs were French-made. But the question of who dropped them remains a mystery...
Juri Jaquemet26.10.202199 years ago, the ‘Champ-de-l’Air’ aircraft radio station in Lausanne broadcast a vocal performance live from the studio. It was Switzerland’s first radio broadcast. Listening to the radio was an exciting adventure in the 1920s. A look back at the pioneering age of radio.
Juri Jaquemet30.07.2021Once upon a time, television stations didn’t broadcast round the clock. Late at night and in the morning, there was a break in transmission. The symbol for these time-outs was the PTT television test card. A look back at a not too distant echo of a time when life wasn’t moving quite so fast – the test card hasn’t been gone all that long.
Juri Jaquemet05.02.2020Sirens wailing!? A worried glance at the clock. 1:30 p.m. precisely. Aha – siren test! Switzerland’s annual siren test takes place on the first Wednesday in February. But how long have we had sirens in Switzerland anyway, and what’s the history of this hair-raising means of communication?
Juri Jaquemet13.03.2019Fifty years ago, humans walked on the moon for the first time. This epoch-defining achievement was made possible, in part, thanks to cutting-edge technology from Switzerland.
Juri Jaquemet01.10.2018On 1 October 1968, the first scheduled colour television broadcast flickered on to Swiss TV screens. This historic TV event was preceded by tough wrangling over technical standards.
