L. J. N. du Treil (page 2 of 2)
   On a ship docked in the port they found a discarded Morse code transmitter featuring
   huge coils, Leyden jar condensers, and vacuum tubes, all contained in a trunk. After    purchasing it, and other parts with their available funds, they modified the set to their
   needs, building their own voice modulator. When completed, the composite equipment    supported a microphone extending from the trunk set on a long arched arm, much as in    telephones in use at the time. An antenna wire was then strung from Marquette Hall, the
   only classroom building on campus, to the steeple of the nearby Holy Name of Jesus    Church. With installation accomplished, a Department of Commerce authorization was    requested. Thus was born, WWL New Orleans. Joe du Treil continued his involvement
   with the station traveling with Orie Abell, S.J. to Texas to visit stations in Galveston,    Houston, Dallas and Fort-Worth. By observing research and  experimentation, and
   inspecting implementations, they enthusiastically returned to New Orleans and undertook    the task of designing the 500 and   the 5,000 watt transmitters. Controversy arose over
   the larger transmitter. Unnamed “radio interests” in the city had leveled the charge of
   conflict of interest against du Treil as field inspector versus his close association with the    University station. Ultimately, he was forced to sever his WWL pioneering connection, but    continued in the broadcasting industry for many years. After retiring from the FCC in 1959,    Joe opened a consulting engineering firm, L.J.N. du Treil and Associates, which included
   a frequency measuring service. His consulting practice continued until 1983. At that time
   he was concerned that he was not able to properly serve his clientele, so he sold his    business to Sidney J. Levet, III.

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