Seventy-five years ago today, the May 10, 1948 issue of Life magazine showed Philco’s lineup of radios. Offerings started with the model 200 for $19.95 and models 250 and 225 for $27.95. At the top of the line was the model 230 “flying wedge” for $29.95.

Two portables are shown, both capable of operating on AC or DC home current, or batteries. The four-tube model 602 was only $29.95, and the six-tube model 360, the “world’s favorite portable” was $49.95. Neither price included batteries.

Occasionally, we encounter a concept that is ungoogleable, and today is one of those times. Shown here from 1963 is the combination radio-cigarette lighter. But if you try to Google that phrase, it’s an exercise in frustration, since no matter how to phrase it, and no matter where you put the quotation marks, all you get are radios that can be run off 12 volts from a car cigarette lighter. But the May 1963 issue of Popular Science showed the real deal–a cigarette lighter, no larger than an ordinary cigarette lighter, but containing a two-transistor radio. The radio turned itself on when you plugged in the earphone, and the lighter came to life when you gave it a flick. As shown here, you could use both at the same time.

It was available by mail order for $9.95 from one L. Branvold, 5718 Troost Ave., North Hollywood, California.

Mr. Branvold was apparently a home-based entrepreneur, long before that was a thing, since the address is residential. He would have been successful advertising on our website, since he seemed to find the kinds of products our readers would like. For example, shown at left is another ad for a timer that attaches to the dial of your phone, to make sure those long distance calls don’t drag on past the first three minutes. It’s even self-winding, since it winds itself every time you dial the phone.

Speaking of such products, we’re sure that if any of our readers are looking for either a Kleenex®  holder, or a cell phone holder, then they will agree that the one shown here, which looks like a TV, is the perfect choice.  If they had cell phones in 1963, we have no doubt that Mr. Branvold would have sold these.  It looks like the perfect solution to your cell phone/tissue needs.

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Eighty years ago this month, the British Popular Wireless magazine carried the plans for this pocket-sized one tube receiver for the “ultra-short waves.” While the exact frequency range is not stated, the author reports having pulled in several American nd European stations on the 16 meter band, all with a four-foot aerial. The set was very sensitive, but like superregens in general, was not very selective. This, however, was said not to be a disadvantage, since the tuning dial need not be geared. Once the station was tuned in, it was tuned in.

The article warned that the value of the grid lead resistor must not be too low, as this would cause the set to radiate. In addition to being against the law, this would cause interference to other listeners.

Every audience loves an accordion solo, as judged by the applause from this audience at a talent show. But the May 1953 issue of Popular Mechanics stresses the need to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Therefore, the magazine showed how to make this electronic applause meter to register its impartial judgment as to the amount of applause, thus removing all questions of fairness and suggestions of favoritism. The simple three-tube circuit was just the ticket for amateur shows, parties, school affairs, contests, and similar group activities. It could also be used in noise studies in places such as factories or offices.

An 8 inch speaker was pressed into service as the microphone. The amplifier was such that the gain decreased with the increase in sound level, making the output approximately logarithmic, just like the human ear. The meter was in the plate circuit of the second stage of amplification.

Of course, as with most electronic devices, the prices are much lower today. If you need an applause meter for your next talent show, you can easily find one on Amazon. You have the choice of the inexpensive handheld model, or to make sure there’s no suggestion of favoritism, you can put up one of the large displays so that the audience can see for themselves:

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One hundred years ago, the status of radio on the farm was no longer a luxury, but a necessity. The May 1923 issue of Popular Mechanics carried this guide for farmers to acquire, install, and operate that necessary piece of equipment.

The magazine pointed out thaqt thousands of farm boys had built their own set, and a set with a range of up to 1000 miles was a feasible project, and plans had appeared in earlier issues of the magazine. The magazine pointed out, however, that many sets covered wavelengths of 150-400 meters (750 kHz to 2 MHz), but that official weather and market reports were carried on 485 meters (618 kHz). Therefore, if a homebuilt set were to be used, extra turns of the coil would be required. And the following stern advice was given if a set was to be purchased: “Never purchase a set on the assumption, or on the verbal assurance that it is suitable for receiving market reports; insist that the dealer demonstrate this capacity by actually ‘bringing in’ these reports.”

The article gave pointers on setting up the antenna and ground, and also reminded farmers of the importance of noting them down carefully so that the reports from various stations can be compared. In fact, “it will be found that it is very convenient to have a blackboard mounted on the wall near the set, so that the items and figures can be jotted down as they are received.”

War or no war, this family were wired, thanks to the audio amplifier shown in the May 1943 issue of Popular Mechanics. They were proud supporters of the USO, as shown by the sticker on thier car. And if you look carefully, you’ll see a star in the window, indicating that they have a son in the service.

The magazine acknowledged that the “breadboard” design was designed primarily as a classroom project, it would also serve useful purposes in schools, homes, and workshops. This housewife placed the amplifier on the kitchen counter, with wires running to various parts of the house to call the family back for lunch. This was accomplished with a single run of wire to the speakers, with the return taken care of with a good ground connection at both ends.

The amplifier could also be used for a phonograph or a one or two tube radio, putting out 1.5 watts of audio.

A hundred years ago today, May 1, 1923, many American newspapers carried a headline like this one from the Indianapolis Times, about the kidnapping of seven-year-old Verner Alexanderson of Schenectady, NY.  Verner was the son of radio engineer Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, who was then employed by General Electric.

Police had a good description of the kidnapper, thanks to Verner’s eleven-year-old sister Edith.  The kidnapper promised to give Verner a rabbit, and asked the sisters to go fetch a box for them while he took Verner to get the bunny.  Of course, it was all a ruse, and Verner was whisked away.

But this criminal was the first to learn that while you can outrun the police, you can’t outrun the radio.  Thanks to the father’s position, he was able to quickly broadcast a description of the suspect on WGY, and probably other stations.  Thousands, or perhaps millions, of listeners were on the lookout, and police received many leads.  He was rescued unharmed near Watertown, NY, a few days later.

Verner was, however, a strong negotiator.  His kidnappers had a dog, and before consenting to be released, Verner demanded that he be given the dog, which became his pet, presumably a better one than the promised rabbit.  The kidnappers were said to have escaped to Canada, although the woman with whom Verner was found was presumably involved, and was taken into custody.  The two kidnappers were ultimately apprehended and served prison sentences.  You can see a press photo of Verner, his new dog, and the woman in whose cabin he was found at this eBay listing.

The elder Alexanderson is most famous for the Alexanderson Alternator transmitter, the most famous of which is still intact and fired up once a year by SAQ in Grimeton, Sweden.

Verner went on to be issued a number of patents.  He died in 1999.

And if you’re wondering about the headline at the left, that is announcing the paper’s new beauty reporter.

The handsome transmitter shown here appeared 70 years ago this month in the April 1953 issue of Radio News.  The designer’s name is probably familiar to our readers, since he was a prolific author of radio construction articles, and was in the electronic kit business, Hartland Smith, W8VVD, later W8QX.  We’ve previously featured many of his projects here, and had the pleasure of corresponding with him by e-mail a number of times over the years.  He died in 2022 at the age of 99.

The rig here was designed for mobile use, powered by a dynamotor under the hood of Smith’s V-8, although it can just as easily be used at a fixed location with the AC supply shown here.  It was his second mobile rig, the first one being a crystal-controlled 10 meter transmitter.  He noted that this didn’t work out very well on a dead band, so he made sure that the new rig had both a VFO and multi-band operation.  This set runs both AM and CW on six bands, 75-10 meters.  (For those keeping count, this included 11 meters, which was then a ham band.)

Smith reported that the 20-watt transmitter would run for hours on a fully charged battery, relieving him of the need to burn expensive gasoline idling the engine while operating.  The circuit was designed to minimize TV interference, since he noted that a poorly designed mobile in a fringe TV area could wipe out an entire neighborhood.

A hundred years ago, Omaha was gearing up for the Better Homes Exposition to be held at the Omaha Auditorium.  The April 29, 1923 issue of the Omaha Bee contained a special section highlighting the exhibits and lectures that would be there during the event.  Admission was only 25 cents.

A modern home would not be complete without a radio, and the A. Hospe Co., 1513 Douglas St., would have the set here on display.  They guaranteed that you would pull in stations as far away as 1500 miles, and hearing Havana or Puerto Rico wasn’t out of the question.