KANU signed on for the first time on September 15,
1952. In
1961, it became the first noncommercial FM station to broadcast in stereo. It was a charter member of NPR, and was one of the 90 stations to carry the initial broadcast of
All Things Considered in
1971. KANU won a
Peabody Award in 1974 for its weekly hour "The American Past," hosted by journalism professor Calder Pickett. The program mixed audio clips and music of earlier times with historical narration, and was broadcast for 32 years until Pickett retired in 2005. The station also became known for classical music programs such as "Opera Is My Hobby," hosted by Dr. Jim Seaver weekly for 59 years and Dick Wright's "The Jazz Scene" on Saturday mornings. Current programs include the internationally syndicated music show
The Retro Cocktail Hour. In 2003, KANU adopted the more inclusive slogan Kansas Public Radio to its rapidly growing broadcast footprint. ==See also==