Eagled-eyed observers will notice that something is missing from this picture on the cover of the April 1950 issue of Popular Science. That’s right. This Studebaker is missing the clutch pedal, and the magazine features an expose of those newfangled automatic transmissions.
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Seventy years ago this month, the March 1955 issue of Popular Mechanics showed off Chrysler’s “defense minded” radios. The dials were “especially designed to enable motorists to tune in quickly for emergency Civil Defense instructions.” As far as I can tell, that meant that the dials had the required CONELRAD markings on 640 and 1240.
Shown here, in the March 1925 issue of Science and Invention is “a good idea of the probable appearance of New York’s skyscrapers in the year 2025.” It was to include triple and even quadruple-decker streets. The lower level would be occupied by trucks, with lighter vehicles on the upper levels. Sidewalks would be moving. The subways, both long distance and local, would be in multiple layers underground, with daily commutes of a hundred miles, such as to and from Philadelphia, commonplace. The skies being filled with aircraft would be almost quaint, as they were to be there by 1950.
While the image above is not recognizable, the image below doesn’t miss the mark by very much. You can see a modern view from a similar angle at this link.
Perhaps some entrepreneur will be inspired by this photo, and the self-explanatory concept will make a comeback. 85 years ago, the February 1940 issue of Radio Craft featured this mobile puppet show. The truck was equipped with a 1500 watt generator, which powered amplifier and lighting, along with a record player, mixer, and fader. The amplifier was a Lafayette Model 269-T, which put out 20 watts to two ten-inch speakers.
Sixty years ago, there was no better way to impress the chicks than installing a CB radio in your sportscar, as demonstrated here by one Dave Hallow, KLK6733. We have a hunch, however, that he’s actually shown here with his kid sister. In any event, the car was an Austin-Healy Sprite, and Hallow needed to figure out how to install a CB without disturbing the lines of the car. He accomplished this, first, by replacing the existing AM antenna with an Antenna Specialists M-103 combination AM-CB antenna. Since there was no room under the dash, he installed an E.F. Johnson M-III transistorized transceiver under the dash, along with a Johnson suppression kit to eliminate interference.
He’s shown wearing a Telex DYB-10 boom microphone headset to allow hand-free communication. The photo appeared in the February 1965 issue of Popular Electronics, which noted that the headset provided the ability to receive clear signals above 40 MPH. Perhaps regulators hadn’t gotten around to re-writing traffic codes yet, but a dual headset for the driver would be illegal in most states today, since it doesn’t allow road noises to be heard. These days, single-ear Bluetooth headsets, complete with noise-cancelling mike, are available.
We asked ChatGPT to write a story based upon this picture. I don’t think we have to worry about job security–just yet. But here’s ChatGPT’s take on it:
The Radio Roadtrip
In the summer of 1965, young Tommy had a dream–to make the ultimate road trip using nothing but his wits, his radio, and his dad’s old convertible. His little sister, Sally, wasn’t about to be left behind, even though she wasn’t quite sure what “ham radio” even meant.
“Are you sure you can drive this thing?” Sally asked, gripping the side of the car as she climbed in.
Tommy, adjusting his oversized headset and pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, gave her a confident nod. “Of course! Well… kinda. But that’s not the point. The point is, we’re gonna talk to people all over the world—while driving!”
Sally giggled, excited despite herself. “Like astronauts?”
“Exactly! Or people in Australia! Or maybe even spies! Who knows?” Tommy grinned as he flipped a few switches on the makeshift radio setup he had wired into the dashboard. The soft crackle of static filled the car, and then a voice came through—
“CQ, CQ… this is W6XYZ. Anyone out there?”
Tommy’s eyes widened. He quickly grabbed the microphone. “W6XYZ, this is Tommy—uh, I mean, this is K0TOM, mobile unit, coming in loud and clear!”
Sally clapped her hands. “It works! It really works!”
Their adventure had begun.
Would they make contact with a scientist in Antarctica? A pilot flying high above the clouds? Or maybe even a fellow kid with a radio of their own? One thing was for sure—this was going to be a summer to remember.
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A hundred years ago this month, the September 1924 issue of Amazing Stories carried this ad for an amazing product, namely this underground antenna from the Curtan Mfg. Co., 154 E. Erie Street, Chicago, the Ground Antenna promised loud and clear reception, regardless of static conditions. You would get better long-distance reception, freedom from static, far greater selectivity, and marvelously clear and sweet tone.
By writing to the company, you would get more details of their risk-free trial offer. It seems like a safe bet. If you decided it wasn’t living up to the promises, you probabaly had to go outside and dig it up to get your money back. This was probably safer for the company than its earlier endeavor, shown in the 1927 ad shown here from National Republic magazine. That miraculous product promised 120 miles on a gallon of gas, as well as instant starts in zero degree weather.
If you’re wondering what your state or province’s license plate looked like 70 years ago, here’s a complete collection. This ad for Atlas Tires appeared 70 years ago today in the June 29, 1953, issue of Life Magazine.
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Today marks the 80th anniversary of the death of Edsel Ford, as shown here in the May 26, 1943, issue of the Detroit Times. Ford died at the age of 49, having served as the President of Ford Motor Company. Upon his death, his father Henry Ford took over temporarily, until after a few months, Edsel’s son Henry Ford II took over.
Seventy five years ago this month, the March 1948 issue of Popular Science carried some pointers on safe driving, highlighted by this cover illustration captioned “This Can Happen to You.” They didn’t actually drive off the roof of a downtown parking ramp. Instead, the magazine noted that a head-on crash at the “safe” speed of 30 MPH was the equivalent of falling from a nine story building.
Happy Groundhog Day from OneTubeRadio.com!
If your car’s transmission is giving you problems today, perhaps it’s as explained in Gasoline Alley this day a hundred years ago. The image here is taken from the February 2, 1923, issue of the Casper (Wyoming) Daily Tribune.