The Lone Ranger was one of the most successful radio shows in history. Though it was billed as juvenile western drama, it commanded a significant adult audience. The origins of how the masked man was created are somewhat controversial. In April, 1930, a failing radio show in Detroit was purchased by John King and George W. Trendle, who changed the call letters to WXYZ. Trendle broke ties with CBS and became independent, relying of the production and special effects teams already in place to come through for him. Notable contributors to the concept initially proposed by Trendle include James Jewell, Harold True, and such notable writers as Fran Striker. These men created the western legend that transcended radio and became folklore, saving the radio station and providing the catalyst for the formation of The Mutual Broadcasting Company in the process.

Some interesting stories about The Lone Ranger:

Jewell initially had the Lone Ranger yelling "Hi-Yi" in early scripts. This was worked and reworked right up until the very last minute before broadcast, when the creative team settled on " Hi-Yo, Silver!"

Rossini's William Tell Overture was selected as the theme music because it gave the impression of galloping horses. This classic composition would become synonymous with The Lone Ranger for generations, many of whom never knew this was an established classic work.

The Lone Ranger never drank, always did good, and killed only once-the fiendish Butch Cavendish who had been responsible for the Masked Man becoming a lone ranger in the first place.

The first voice of The Lone Ranger, performed by Earle Graser, became as well known as President Roosevelt's. The producers kept his identity a secret, adding to the hero's mysteriousness. Graser was killed in a car accident one morning in 1941, leaving the station scrambling for what to do. They decided to write their dilemma into the script. For five days they broadcast a storyline in which the Lone Ranger was critically ill, barely able to speak above a whisker, while the main action centered on Tonto. Meanwhile Brace Beemer was chosen to replace Graser. Beemer's voice was even more distinctive that Graser's, and he stayed on the show until its end thirteen years later.

Kemo Sabe was derived from a camp that Jewell's father-in-law used to run in upper Michigan, named Ke-Mo-Sah-Bee.

The fictional origins of The Lone Ranger were not made clear until 1953, on the 20th anniversary of the program. Then an origin show was produced, telling how a group of Rangers headed by Captain. Dan Reid was tricked and ambushed by Butch Cavendish, leaving only his younger brother John alive, who was saved by Tonto and nursed back to good health. Thereafter The Lone Ranger and Tonto were inseparable, and their crime fighting adventures were financed by a silver mine left behind by John's older brother (thus providing the silver for the bullets, etc.).

Listeners can still today recite verbatim the stirring introduction:

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo, Silver! The Lone Ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order, in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again!