Audio bandwidth is graphically indicated on the white line below the bass and treble thumbwheels below the meters.Īt RCA, Frank Folsom, vice-president in charge of operations at the Victor Division and one time vice-president of Montgomery Ward, proposed the idea that RCA develop and offer a sophisticated custom-built radio as a way to apply considerable experience gained from wartime electronic research. The meters indicate signal strength and FM station centering. The front panel was designed by John Vassos. This front view of the receiver shows its clean lines and symmetrical layout. Among these were the Fisher Radio Corporation, offering an elaborate high-fidelity console comprised of components that could be purchased individually, and Radio Craftsman offering chrome-plated tuner, amplifier, and television chassis for custom installations.įigure 2. New companies also entered the custom-built market for the wealthy.
Scott Radio Laboratories also continued to offer custom-built installations designed around their chrome-plated Model 800B chassis. Scott Radio Laboratories, and Capehart under the ownership of Farnsworth, continued to offer their top-of-the-line combination consoles to the wealthy. Companies in the business of manufacturing radios increased their market share by offering receivers with the new FM broadcast band, television, and full-featured consoles.Īfter the war, Scott Radio Laboratories, formerly E.H. Those that could afford one wanted a television receiver. When it came to radio receivers, there was a demand for receivers that were capable of receiving the new noise-free FM transmissions. Because of this demand and the cost of retooling for civilian products, the cost of new products had approximately doubled since before the war. The postwar economy was driven by a very substantial demand for new products by returning military servicemen, as well as the general public. It was big and measured 94"h x 75 3/4"w x 22 1/2"d. This reproduction 18th century cabinet housed the Breakfront model that contained a radio, phonograph, and projection-type TV. When the war ended late in 1945 and contracts for military products were abruptly terminated, radio manufacturers faced many challenges reestablishing a position in the civilian market.įigure 1. Tremendous advances in electronic circuit design and manufacturing processes resulted from the war effort. Radio manufacturing facilities were retooled and electronic engineers and assemblymen were reassigned and retrained to produce war products.
Production of radios for civilian use came to a halt. One model, the Berkshire Breakfront, a combined radio/phonograph/TV is shown in Figure 1.Īs the United States became more involved in the war in Europe, the supply of materials used for manufacturing radios was diverted to manufacture of war products. The story behind this decision and a description of some of the products are the focus of this article. At least one company specializing in elaborate and custom receivers, McMurdo Silver, Incorporated, did not survive the Depression due to the pressures of competition.Īlthough faced with competition in a limited market, RCA decided to enter the high-end radio game. Others, including Philco, RCA, Stromberg-Carlson and Zenith, also marketed to the wealthy by offering custom-built and elaborate receivers in addition to their main product lines. Scott Radio Laboratories and Capehart thrived on marketing radios to the wealthy. (Editor)ĭuring the Depression years most radio corporations relied on mass production of low- to mid-priced receivers for their success. In this article, Norman Braithwaite describes these sets and how RCA introduced the Berkshire line to the public. In 1947, RCA entered the high-end market with its Berkshire line of radio-phonographs and TVs. Of Old Radios And Related Items-Published Monthly
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