1948 Coin Operated Radios

1948DecRadioElecSeventy years ago this month, the December 1948 issue of Radio Electronics featured this serviceman’s account of his successful diversification into the coin-operated radio business.

While the author pointed out that potential markets included lunchonettes, beauty shops, and hospitals, he had so far exclusively provided radios to hotels.

While the radios were adjustable, the author had his set to play one hour for 25 cents. The average income from each set was about $3 per day, of which 25% was shared with the hotel owner.

To deal with the “familiar towel-and-soap stealers,” the set was fastened to a small table, which was in turn bolted to the floor. In addition, the author added a burglar alarm, which consisted of a microswitch in the radio’s case. If the radio was removed from the table, a bell would sound, and a lamp indicating the offending room would light in the manager’s office.



Silent Night: 1818

Christmas Eve 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the hymn Silent Night.

Flooding had damaged the church organ at the parish church of Oberndorf in the Austrian Empire.  The priest, who had written the words, asked Franz Xaver Gruber to compose music for the guitar.  It was first performed 200 years ago tonight.



1928 Puerto Rico Hurricane

1928DecBLNinety years ago this month, the December 1928 issue of Boys’ Life carried this picture of Nat Pomeranz, 2APD, of Brooklyn, New York. When a September hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, the Navy’s station was destroyed, but a hasty emergency setup was made. Pomeranz was the first to pull in their weak signal and establish a communications link with the mainland.

The accompanying article noted that the Boy Scouts were in the process of setting up a radio network which could be of service not only in times of emergency, but in establishing closer contact between various troops.



1959 Boys’ Life Radio Contest

1948DecBLSixty years ago this month, the December 1958 issue of Boys’ Life magazine ran the rules for the 1959 annual Boys’ Life radio contest.  The contest was set for February 15-28.  To make sure scouts got their sleep, contest time was limited to 12 hours per week.

The contest featured separate categories for hams and SWL’s.  In the Ham category, the top prize was a National NC303 receiver.  The SWL top prize was a Hallicrafters S-85.



1948 Antenna Ideas

1948DecPSSeventy years ago this month, the December 1948 issue of Popular Science offered these antenna suggestions.  For tough reception areas such as office buildings and hotels, the tried-and-true loop antenna in the window could pull in the stations on the standard broadcast band.  Four suction cups made for a neat installation,

And for that newfangled FM set, a dipole discretely tacked behind the sofa would probably pull in the local static-free station.



1958 Christmas Robots

1968DecPESixty years ago this month, the December 1958 issue of Popular Electronics promised Christmas Fun with electronic robots.  But unfortunately for the hapless newsstand buyer who bought the copy based upon the cover, the magazine didn’t include a construction article for the robots shown.

Instead, the magazine contained an article pointing out that robots were here to stay.  The magazine was noncommittal on the issue of whether the robots would eventually run amok.



1943 Code Practice Oscillator

1943DecPM2The young man shown here is working on his Morse Code skills thanks to a combination oscillator/blinker from the December 1943 issue of Popular Mechanics.

The set could make use of either a type 37 or 76 tube. Since both of these were older varieties, they were commonly found in discarded sets or the junk box.

The circuit ran on 6 volts, which could be supplied by either a car battery or four dry cells.

1943DecPM3