Thousands of New Broadcasts in Royal Danish Library’s DR-Arkiv

Approximately 18,000 radio broadcasts from the period 1931–2008 have just been added to the DR-arkiv, and around 55,000 television broadcasts from the period 1973–2005 are on the way.

One of the very earliest recordings is a live broadcast from parachutist John Tranum’s world record attempt on 7 March 1935. DR reporter Aksel Dahlerup is on the scene, updating the listeners waiting in suspense while trying to establish contact with Tranum, who is aboard the steadily ascending aircraft – completely unaware of the tragic outcome of the attempt. Tranum never made the jump, as he suffered a heart attack at an altitude of approximately 8.5 kilometres and died.

The broadcast comes from a collection containing invaluable documentation of Danish history – including the German period of occupation, the Liberation of Denmark, political turmoil, economic and cultural crises, youth rebellion, women’s liberation, and much, much more.

Among the television broadcasts currently being added to the archive, visitors can already explore the 1970s School TV programmes, funded by the Ministry of Education as a supplement to teaching in Danish elementary schools. The programmes cover everything from the human body to outer space and also offer a fascinating insight into the Danish school system more than 50 years ago.