Earle C. Anthony

Earle C. Anthony
Born	December 18, 1880
Died	August 6, 1961
Occupation	Businessman

Earle C. Anthony (December 18, 1880—August 6, 1961) was an American businessman and philanthropist based in Los Angeles, California who worked in broadcasting and automobiles. He was also a songwriter, journalist and playwright.

Earle C. Anthony was born on December 18, 1880.

Anthony built an electric automobile of his own design, the first to run in Los Angeles, at the age of 17. A replica of this car, made in the 1920s with parts of the original automobile, is exhibited in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

In 1923, Anthony was the founder and owner of what eventually became 50,000-watt KFI AM (640) radio, a station he controlled until his death in 1961. From 1929 to 1944, he also owned KECA/1430, which evolved into KABC. He was an early president of the National Association of Broadcasters and during his term oversaw the establishment of the organization's first paid staff. He also was a founder of one of the earliest television stations in Los Angeles, KFI-TV, channel 9 and KFI-FM/105.9 (now defunct), both of which were disposed of in 1951.

From 1915 to 1958, Anthony was the Packard distributor for all of California, selling one out of every seven Packards. He was also instrumental in developing the concept of the gasoline service station (the Chevron was the trademark of the National Supply Co., a service station chain Anthony headed with several other auto dealers and sold to the Standard Oil Company of California in 1913.) He was also a pioneer in inter-urban bus transportation, founding a company later incorporated into Pacific Greyhound lines and had a role in the development of car radios.

Anthony was active in many civic activities. He helped save the Hollywood Bowl by assuming leadership of the Symphony Under Stars Foundation in the early 1930s. He donated resources for a wind-resistant cross to replace others that had previously been blown over in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs).

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