The idea of using radio as an educational tool wasn't a new one when WHYY-FM took to the air in late 1954, but it was the first time any Philadelphia broadcasting station had been founded wholly on that purpose. Early programming -- directed at meeting the "educational, cultural, recreational and civic needs of the people" -- largely fell into three categories: in- and after-school lessons for children; adult education courses; and general interest programming covering the arts, music, drama, news, and
more »