A surgical operation in which the surgeon communicates by microphone with onlookers. Gouache by J. Pignone, ca. 1934.

According to the article in Radio craft, the subject of the picture seems to be an operation in the Eye Hospital, Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, New York City. This may be the same as the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute of Presbyterian Hospital, which moved into new quarters on 168th Street, New York City, in 1933. "When constructed, the Eye institute was unique in its appointments and furnishings. Dramatic innovations included an operating room with observation dome overhead" (website 3 October 2000). A similar system was used by Dr Chaffee, chief surgeon in a Los Angeles hospital; a photograph reproduced in the article shows him performing a major operation while describing it for the benefit of surgeons assembled outside the sound-proof operating room