Category Archives: Radio history

Kimbark Electric, Chicago, 1945

Eighty years ago, there was still a war going on, but people were itching for things to get back to normal. For example, civilian radios were still out of production, but this dealer guessed (correctly, it turns out) that there would be new ones rolling off the assembly line come fall. The picture appears on the cover of the July 1945 issue of Radio Service Dealer, and that issue gives no clues as to exactly where the sign is located.

But with a little bit of detective work, we found the location, and we also determined that the picture shown above was Photoshopped! The sign above reads “This Fall! New Radios.” The magazine doesn’t say where the sign is located. The magazine states only “dealer looks forward.”

But the identical photo appeared in the December 1943 issue of the magazine.  Well, we should say that it was almost identical.  Because the sign really said, “Wanted-Used Radios.”  I bet they still wanted them in 1945, but a graphic artist (if not the dealer) guessed that the end of the shortage was in sight.

The 1943 issue reveals that the shop was Kimbark Electric Appliance Co., 1309 E. 53rd St., Chicago.  The owner was Harold E. Wollenhaupt, who died in 1989.



1925 Portable Radios

A hundred years ago, the July 1925 issue of Talking Machine World carried this ad from RCA showing Radiola models 24 and 26.  These models had performance on par with modern receivers, as they were superheterodynes containing six UV-199 tubes.

Millions of Americans were heading for sea and mountains, and this ad reminded dealers that they were all prospects for a set such as this, if only the dealer took time to sell them on the idea.

They weren’t cheap, however.   They started at $195, which works out to over $3600 in 2025 dollars.  Today, for a tiny fraction of that price, you can get an inexpensive portable which will pull in AM, FM, and weather broadcasts.  (And, of course, don’t forget to buy some extra batteries, which we guarantee will weigh a lot less than the ones this gentleman is using.)



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1965 Sprage Quig Connectors

Sixty years ago this month, the July 1965 issue of Electronics Technician carried this ad for a useful product from Sprague Capacitors, the “Quig”. It was for making connections for replacement components in tight spaces. It was essentially a solder-covered spring. When removing the old component, you would leave part of the lead in place, slip the Quig over it, and then slip the new component into the Quig. With one hand, you could hit it with the soldering iron, and be done with the job.

As far as I know, the Quig no longer exists. But for replacing components in old radios, a similar method is employed. You leave a portion of the old lead, and then wind a little spring on the new component. You slip that over the old lead and solder it in place (with two hands).



1940 British Air Raid Shelter Radio

Eighty-five years ago, this British family was taking refuge in their air-raid shelter, and had the luxury of information and entertainment courtesy of their radio. The July 13, 1940, issue of of Practical Wireless gave some pointers on the best way to equip the shelter with radio. The magazine acknowledged that there was no single solution for every case, but the provided food for thought.

One option was to employ a remote speaker with the normal family radio. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it suggested that the best option might be to place the radio in the shelter, and put the speaker in the house. This was because they would have access to the radio while in the shelter, and could change stations if the need arises. And, of course, if the set was turned off, it could be turned on without delay getting to the shelter.

The magazine also discussed the possibility of a portable. Here, it cautioned that if the shelter had a damp environment, it might be best to store the set outside. Finally, it discussed the possibility of using a car radio, particularly if a battery were in place for lighting.



Radio to the Rescue, 1925

A hundred years ago, this young woman experienced a flat tire. But fortunately, she had brought a radio with her, so she was able to keep herself entertained until this gentleman arrived and fixed the tire for her.

The illustration appeared on the cover of Radio in the Home, July 1925, and the artist is Ralph Pallen Coleman.



Homemade QSL Cards, 1940

Eighty-five years ago, the July 1940 issue of Shortwave and Television showed this hint for making homemade QSL cards with a standard penny postcard. You simply cut a stencil with the design. To print one, you placed the stencil over a postcard and held them down with tacks. Then, you used an old toothbrush to apply the ink.



Bringing the Car Radio Inside in Britain, 1940

Eighty-five years ago, there were few private automobiles on British roads due to the war. But for those that were still in use, a restriction went into place on June 1, 1940. According to the July 1940 issue of Practical Wireless, as of that date, it was illegal to have any radio apparatus in a motor vehicle after that date. According to the magazine, the order applied to both built-in sets as well as portables. It also applied to the antenna, which had to be removed as well.

Since you had to take the radio inside anyway, the magazine showed this rather self-explanatory diagram of how to hook it up at home. It discussed options such as the best way to keep the battery charged.

As we previously reported, the ban was lifted in 1944, and the magazine showed how to re-install the radio.



1965 Home Radio Station

The young man shown here has been collecting Social Security for a few years now, but sixty years ago, he was operating his own broadcast station, as shown in the July 1965 issue of Electronics Illustrated.

The transmitter had inputs for microphone and turntable (or tape) and radiated through the house wiring.  (But the magazine noted that if that wasn’t working well, a 5-foot antenna could be substituted.)  The power level was within FCC requirements, but it radiated a good signal throughout a house, dorm, or camp.



1940 Radio Dealer

Eighty-five years ago, this is what a typical radio dealer’s shop might have looked like. This bustling scene was depicted on the cover of Radio Today, June 1940.



1925 British Portables

A hundred years ago this month, the British gentleman looks a bit perplexed as to what exactly he is supposed to do with his portable radio. And it looks like his driver is trying to avoid offering an opinion.

He should have read the article by one of the editors of Popular Wireless in the June 1925 issue. It noted that the first portable was probably the one brought by Marconi to England. But before buying or building a portable, one should take some time to consider carefully the needs and limitations. The picture appeared on the cover of the magazine.