How Emmy Got Her Name

According to legend, the film statue, Oscar, got its name because it looked like somebody's uncle. Tony, the theater's highest award, is an abbreviation of Antoinette Perry. Now it's time for Emmy, and for historians, here's how Emmy got her name.

Emmy history goes back to the first ceremony.

The TV Academy's constitution empowers it to "recognize outstanding achievement in the television industry be conferring annual awards of merit as an incentive for achievement within the industry..."  In 1948, Charles Brown, then president of the young organization, named a committee to select award winners for the year. He also asked for suggestions on a symbol and what it should be called. Some thought "Iconoscope" (for large orthicon tube) would be an impressive title, but it was pointed that it would be shortened for "Ike," a name reserved for Dwight Eisenhower.

Another television favorite was "Tilly" (for television). But in the end, Emmy, a derivative for Immy (a nickname for the image orthicon tube) was chosen. The name was suggested by pioneer television engineer, Harry Lubcke (president of the Academy in 1949-50).

Once the name had been selected, the next chore was the symbol. One hundred-and eighteen sketches were submitted to the committee and when candidates were cut to only two, designer Louis McManus presented an entry and the committee knew it had found it's Emmy.

On January 25, 1949, the first annual TV Awards were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club with Walter O'Keefe as host. Of the six awards presented that evening, one went to McManus as a special tribute.

As McManus was called to the head table, he was told, "Louis here she is...our baby. She'll be here long after we're gone."  McManus was then presented with a gold, lifetime membership card - and an Emmy.