Minnesota Public Radio was founded in 1967 by Bill Kling and Colman Barry, president of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. After the first station, KSJR 90.1-FM, went on the air, Kling began building a statewide network. Here's a sampling of some early recordings found in the MPR Archive.
September 18, 1973 - Vine Deloria Jr., a treaties expert and author of "In Utmost Good Faith" and "We Talk, You Listen," talks with Kevin McKiernan. Topics include religion, treaties, and Wounded Knee.
October 1, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman reports on design science exhibit of Buckminster Fuller's eco-friendly architectural story. Report includes interviews with Fuller, and with people viewing the exhibit.
October 2, 1973 - MPR’s Paul Grochow report highlights an exhibit on early John Berryman manuscripts that are on display at the University of Minnesota. Report includes comments from Berryman’s publishing friend, Robert Giroux, who speaks about the fickle nature of publishing.
October 8, 1973 - Architect and theorist Richard Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller speaks on the discovery of the eternal pattern operative in the universe.
November 23, 1973 - MPR’s Paul Gruchow interviews Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn experts and translators Keith Armes, Arthur C. Hudgins, and one other guest on the first English translation of "Candle in the Wind," published by University of Minnesota Press.
January 1, 1974 - Czech filmmaker Jan Kadar visits New Prague to see how much Czech culture remains.
March 6, 1974 - A local writer reflects on the importance of mentorship and community, as well as approaching writing as a craft at the Twin Cities Writer's Workshop conference.
March 7, 1974 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on rally sponsored by the Coalition for Child Care, held to call attention to need for childcare for students and university workers.
April 19, 1974 - A speech given by Eugene McCarthy, who was a long-term DFL Congress Representative from Minnesota, as well as a poet and author. McCarthy is speaking here on the vice presidency, how to reform the Presidency, and the 25th Amendment of the Constitution.
May 18, 1974 - Minnesota's senior citizens air their grievances before a panel of senators and representatives.