A hundred years ago this month, the February 1920 issue of Boys’ Life asked the boys of America if they had a wireless station, and offered these two receivers. Both tuned 200 – 2500 meters (120 – 1500 kHz). Each included the loose coupler, radiometer, headphones, and hardware for the antenna and ground. The Moded 4007, selling for 28.00, included a crystal detector. Model 4008 was identical, but used an audion tube for the detector. It sold for $48.

The ad promised that the set could be up and running within hours. The crystal set was said to have a range of 300 miles under ordinary conditions, with the audion set being capable of pulling in stations up to a thousand miles away.

The manufacturer, the A.C. Gilbert Company, is the same one which is famous for erector sets, chemistry sets, and other tools for young scientists.  While the company no longer exists, the brand name is still in use.  The set in operation here is similar to, or possibly the same, as the one we previously featured,  delivered by Santa Claus in 1919.