When one thinks of a crank phonograph, one normally associates that with a mechanical reproducer and no electronics. But there’s no reason why a particular phonograph can’t be a hybrid. It could have an electric motor but a mechanical reproducer. Here is the opposite, namely, an electronic phonograph with a wind-up mechanical motor, in this Crosley Model B-5549A portable radio-phonograph, as shown in the December 1939 issue of Radio Today.

The reason why this particular unit is a hybrid is because it can operate on either batteries or household current. With an electric motor, the turntable would rapidly run down the batteries, and there would be no convenient way to have a motor than ran on different voltages. So the easiest solution to the problem was to add a hand crank.

The radio in this unit was the same as the Crosley model 549, a five-tube superhet. It employed a 1A7GT oscillator, 1N5GT IF amplifier, 1H5GT detector and first audio stage, and 1A5GT audio output. A 117Z6GT rectifier rounded out the tube complement. The set included a relay which automatically disconnected the batteries when hooked up to AC power. Since the rectifier was a dual tube, one half was used to power the filaments, with the other half providing the B+.

Up to eight records could be stowed inside, and with the unit weighing only 24 pounds, it could be toted anywhere to provide either radio or recorded music.