Crossley, Archibald (1896-1985)

Archibald Maddock Crossley was born on December 7, 1896, in Fieldsboro, New Jersey. His love for the state of his birth carried him to Princeton University in 1917; he later worked for a small advertising firm based in Philadelphia. Crossley's research career began soon afterward, in 1918, when he was asked by an executive in his firm to create a research department, something he knew nothing about. Once the department was created, Crossley began work on "Crossley Rating," which many believe is the first ratings system. Using this rating, one could estimate the number of telephone subscribers tuned in to any radio show at any given time. Creating the ratings was no easy task, requiring various Crossley aides to thumb through telephone books covering more ...