Professor Quiz was broadcasting's first ever quiz show.
Broadcast[]
CBS Radio (Weekly): 5/9/1936 – 9/25/1941 (limited to only Washington D.C. at first)
ABC Radio (Weekly): 1/24/1946 – 7/17/1948
Host[]
Dr. Craig Earl (real name Arthur E. Barid)
Announcer[]
Robert Trout
Format[]
Unlike later quiz shows, where the host asked questions to the contestants, it was the exact opposite: the contestants asked questions to the host. If the host couldn't give the correct answer, the contestant won $25.
Later broadcasts used a different format: six contestants were selected from the studio audience, and the winner of the session received, $25, with $15 given to the runners-up. On these broadcasts, listeners would send in six questions, and if they were used, they also won $25.
Sponsors[]
George Washington Coffee (1936–1937)
Kelvinator (1937–1938)
Noxzema (1938–1939)
Teel Soap (1939–1940)
Velvet Tobacco (1940–1941)
American Oil (1946–1948)
Merchandise[]
Board Games[]
In 1939, Jaymar released two editions of the popular radio quiz show titled Quizzical Questions by Professor Quiz.
Book[]
In 1939, Mind Building Institute released a large paperback book titled The Original Professor Quiz Radio Game. It featured 600 Questions and Answers along with articles talking about the background of the show.