The World Is Yours

Produced by the Smithsonian Institution, The World Is Yours series tells of historical events, scientific achievements and technical advances, from the development of aluminum, to the movement of fighting aircraft in World War II.

The series was the first radio program produced by the Smithsonian, in conjunction with the United States Department of the Interior Office of Education. It aired weekly on the NBC Red Network from June 7, 1936 to May 10, 1942, with each 30-minute episode dramatizing various aspects of the Smithsonian’s collections and research.

The inaugural episode dramatized the founding of the Smithsonian and the histories of several iconic objects in the Arts and Industries Building. Subsequent episodes typically focused on a single defined topic, featuring 3-5 dramatic vignettes illustrating various aspects of the concept. The programs were narrated by an explorer character known as the “Oldtimer”, who served as the audience’s guide to “the wonders of that unique establishment - the Smithsonian Institution - dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

The series was incredibly popular, generating over half a million letters from listeners in the first four years. The supplementary materials produced to provide additional information on the topics covered were much in demand, with the Smithsonian filling 800,000 requests. The World Is Yours was often attributed to its dramatization of topics, making it more accessible and interesting to its audience. As the Smithsonian’s Webster P. True noted, the program was “not a classroom or direct instruction program - we think of it rather as collateral listening.”

The Stars

There were no regular stars in The World Is Yours, as the program featured a rotating cast of out-of-work actors and musicians to present the dramatic vignettes. However, the “Oldtimer” narrator character, voiced by an unnamed actor, became a familiar presence to listeners over the course of the series’ run.

Key Dates

• The World Is Yours debuted on June 7, 1936 and ran for nearly six years.
• The final episode aired on May 10, 1942.
• The series was produced as part of the Smithsonian’s Educational Radio Project, which was funded by the Works Progress Administration.

Other Information

In addition to the dramatic content, The World Is Yours also provided supplementary print materials that listeners could request for a small fee. These included fact sheets, booklet narratives, and recommended reading lists to encourage further self-education on the topics covered in the broadcasts.

The series received recognition from the Women’s National Radio Committee, which awarded it a “Best Adult Education Program” award in 1939. However, the program was not without its challenges, as some Smithsonian staff had concerns about the commitment of the scriptwriters to producing high-quality, factual content.

Ultimately, The World Is Yours was considered one of the most successful educational radio programs of the 1930s, using dramatization and engaging storytelling to bring the Smithsonian’s work to a wide audience across the United States.