1896

The first radio is patented by inventor Guglielmo Marconi, attempting to create a wireless telegraph. The first public radio broadcast would be made 14 years later.

1921

Basil Rathbone transitions from theatre acting to silent films, appearing in several films from the 1920s to 1930s and often playing the role of the suave villain.

1926

Nigel Bruce makes his debut on Broadway, where he would often play comedic characters throughout several plays up until approx. 1938.

1934

Radios skyrocket in popularity as a household item of affordable entertainment. Over 60% of the nation's households owned a radio.

1939-1946

The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes airs on radio with its two most popular stars acting together, often in front of a live audience, for 220 episodes. They also simultaneously starred in 14 films, two under 20th Century Fox and 12 under Universal Studios.

1946-1953

Both actors officially retire from their on-air roles as the mystery solving duo but continue to remain good friends until Bruce's passing in 1953. From that day onward, Rathbone refused to perform as Holmes ever again without the "only man who could play Dr. Watson."