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- Fixed Condenser, Used in the Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, circa 1911 - John Hays Hammond, Jr., was largely responsible for launching the field of radio control. In 1926, he built a medieval-inspired castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This site served as his home and research laboratory. With over 400 patents to his name, Hammond developed ideas for radio control, autopilot function, and targeted missile detonation. This device was used in Hammond's laboratory.
- circa 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Fixed Condenser, Used in the Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, circa 1911
John Hays Hammond, Jr., was largely responsible for launching the field of radio control. In 1926, he built a medieval-inspired castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This site served as his home and research laboratory. With over 400 patents to his name, Hammond developed ideas for radio control, autopilot function, and targeted missile detonation. This device was used in Hammond's laboratory.
- Fixed Condenser, Used in the Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, circa 1911 - John Hays Hammond, Jr., was largely responsible for launching the field of radio control. In 1926, he built a medieval-inspired castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This site served as his home and research laboratory. With over 400 patents to his name, Hammond developed ideas for radio control, autopilot function, and targeted missile detonation. This device was used in Hammond's laboratory.
- circa 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Fixed Condenser, Used in the Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, circa 1911
John Hays Hammond, Jr., was largely responsible for launching the field of radio control. In 1926, he built a medieval-inspired castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This site served as his home and research laboratory. With over 400 patents to his name, Hammond developed ideas for radio control, autopilot function, and targeted missile detonation. This device was used in Hammond's laboratory.
- Radio Goniometer Used at Ford Airport, circa 1927 - The radio beacon may be Henry Ford's most important contribution to aviation. Early pilots depended on landmarks, preventing reliable navigation in bad weather. Ford's engineers developed a radio beacon that simultaneously transmitted the Morse code letter "A" (dot-dash) in one direction and the letter "N" (dash-dot) in another. The pilot steered until the separate signals merged into a steady hum.
- circa 1927
- Collections - Artifact
Radio Goniometer Used at Ford Airport, circa 1927
The radio beacon may be Henry Ford's most important contribution to aviation. Early pilots depended on landmarks, preventing reliable navigation in bad weather. Ford's engineers developed a radio beacon that simultaneously transmitted the Morse code letter "A" (dot-dash) in one direction and the letter "N" (dash-dot) in another. The pilot steered until the separate signals merged into a steady hum.
- Sparton Radio Model 558-B, 1937 - This 1937 Sparton radio was designed by Walter Dorwin Teague, a designer renowned for his use of streamlined forms. A study in contrasts -- the blue mirrored finish and curved sled-like base suggest speed while the five jutting parallel panels appear almost architectural -- this expensive and glamorous radio had a limited market during the Great Depression.
- 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Sparton Radio Model 558-B, 1937
This 1937 Sparton radio was designed by Walter Dorwin Teague, a designer renowned for his use of streamlined forms. A study in contrasts -- the blue mirrored finish and curved sled-like base suggest speed while the five jutting parallel panels appear almost architectural -- this expensive and glamorous radio had a limited market during the Great Depression.
- Heathkit Portable AM Transistor Radio, Model XR-2P, circa 1962 - The Heath Company was founded in the 1920s as a "do-it-yourself" electronics kit provider. "Heathkits" provided simple, accessible instructions understandable to amateurs and experts alike. As hobbyists built radios, televisions, and computers from scratch, they gained electronics skills. These kits were not novelties, but emphasized access to affordable, advanced, high-performance technology. Parallels can easily be seen within present-day "Maker" culture.
- circa 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Heathkit Portable AM Transistor Radio, Model XR-2P, circa 1962
The Heath Company was founded in the 1920s as a "do-it-yourself" electronics kit provider. "Heathkits" provided simple, accessible instructions understandable to amateurs and experts alike. As hobbyists built radios, televisions, and computers from scratch, they gained electronics skills. These kits were not novelties, but emphasized access to affordable, advanced, high-performance technology. Parallels can easily be seen within present-day "Maker" culture.
- Zenith "My Radio" Pendant Transistor Radio, circa 1970 - The size of radios shrank following the advent of transistor technology. Even the smallest vacuum tubes were bulky, and their power consumption ensured the need for large batteries. Transistor radios made of lightweight plastics were cheap and truly portable. With the addition of an earphone a radio such as this allowed the listener to enjoy a completely personal listening experience.
- circa 1970
- Collections - Artifact
Zenith "My Radio" Pendant Transistor Radio, circa 1970
The size of radios shrank following the advent of transistor technology. Even the smallest vacuum tubes were bulky, and their power consumption ensured the need for large batteries. Transistor radios made of lightweight plastics were cheap and truly portable. With the addition of an earphone a radio such as this allowed the listener to enjoy a completely personal listening experience.
- Cross Section of Carbon Button Telephone Transmitter, 1878 -
- 1878
- Collections - Artifact
Cross Section of Carbon Button Telephone Transmitter, 1878
- Telephone Transmitter Component, 1880-1920 -
- 1880-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Telephone Transmitter Component, 1880-1920
- Spark Gap Transmitter, 1910-1925 - Spark gap transmitters were the first means of practical radio transmission for the first thirty years of radio development. By the end of WWI, vacuum tube technology advanced sufficiently, replacing the spark gap. Even though the vacuum tube ensured more efficient and reliable transmissions, commercial use of spark gap transmitters continued up until WWII as back-up transmitters.
- 1910-1925
- Collections - Artifact
Spark Gap Transmitter, 1910-1925
Spark gap transmitters were the first means of practical radio transmission for the first thirty years of radio development. By the end of WWI, vacuum tube technology advanced sufficiently, replacing the spark gap. Even though the vacuum tube ensured more efficient and reliable transmissions, commercial use of spark gap transmitters continued up until WWII as back-up transmitters.
- Insulated Line Pulley, 1880-1920 -
- 1880-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Insulated Line Pulley, 1880-1920