National Public Radio just turned 50. I listen locally on WFAE in Charlotte where one of my favorite writers Tommy Tomlinson contributes. (Check out his podcast, Southbound , if you’re into that kind of thing.) The publicity surrounding NPR’s anniversary is full of anecdotes about how they made something from nothing. All while covering the news, which included the country’s largest antiwar protest taking place outside their door. (If you haven’t done the math yet, this was 1971.) NPR staff endured unknowns, mishaps, and flubs. Susan Stamberg, the first anchor of All Things Considered , tried to lower her voice like a man’s, which didn’t quite work. Considering their chaotic first day, show director Linda Wertheimer didn’t see much hope for NPR. She said it “was just going to be beyond awful.” When you’re in the middle of pandemonium, it’s hard to see your way out. But here they are fifty years later, chuckling about how far they’ve come. We can’t judge something on the first day...