There was once a time when entertainment meant piling into the family car, tuning in the radio, and heading out for a night under the stars.

On June 6, 1933, the world’s very first official drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey — forever changing American entertainment culture. 🎬🇺🇸

The drive-in theater was invented by chemical company executive Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., who wanted to create a more comfortable movie experience for families. Working from his home in Camden, New Jersey, Hollingshead experimented with projector placement, screen positioning, and vehicle spacing right in his own driveway before bringing the idea to life.

The concept was simple… but revolutionary.

Families could enjoy movies from the comfort of their own vehicles while giant outdoor screens lit up the night sky. Before streaming, before smartphones, before social media… there were drive-ins, dashboard speakers, popcorn, neon lights, and unforgettable summer nights.

The original slogan?

“The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.” 😄

Drive-ins quickly became a symbol of classic Americana throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s — an era filled with classic rock ‘n’ roll, cruising culture, diners, jukeboxes, and old-school radio.

In many ways, drive-ins captured the same spirit we celebrate every day at WTSG-DB:

📻 Great music

🎵 Timeless memories

🚘 Retro culture

🇺🇸 American nostalgia

🌙 Entertainment that brought people together

Even today, drive-in theaters remain legendary reminders of a simpler time when the soundtrack of summer came through car speakers and AM/FM radios.

So tonight, maybe throw on some classic tunes, grab some popcorn, and celebrate one of the coolest entertainment ideas ever created. 🍿🎶

Because some things never go out of style.

— WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting

“Great Music, Great Radio.”