One of the undisputed pioneer giants of the broadcast industry, David Sarnoff leapt to fame as the telegraph operator who broadcast the first news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Later, as general manager of the Radio Corporation of America, Sarnoff organized the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the first commercial radio network in the country. By 1947 he was RCA's Chairman of the Board. Sarnoff also played a major role in the development of television, launching a commercial channel in 1940. As a brigadier general in World War II, Sarnoff was a consultant in communications for General Eisenhower. He remained Chief Executive Officer of RCA until his retirement in 1966, and was Board Chairman until his death.