loading image
From picnics in the park, to outings at the beach or simply relaxing in the backyard, portable radios brought the style and excitement of radio technology outdoors. In 1924, Zenith introduced their Companion model, the first portable, self-contained radio offered by a major manufacturer. Although the Companion featured a revolutionary enclosure that held batteries and a built-in speaker, it was heavy, expensive, and ahead of its time. During the late 1930s, improvements in vacuum tube technology paved the way for modern portable radios. Inspired by fashions in luggage design, these lightweight radios were housed in hinged, wooden cases covered in tweed cloth or textured leatherette. Radios such as the Remler 92 operated on battery power, while most sets were “plug-in portables” that switched from AC household current to battery operation. By 1939, more than 150 portable radio models were available, including Zenith’s popular Universal portable complete with a patented “Wavemagnet” aerial antenna. "On the Radio" is on display, post-security, in Terminal 3. http://bit.ly/RadioSFO
This image was posted on June 14, 2018.
Similar Instagram posts
Think back to a time when families would gather around the radio to hear the news, weather, and their favorite radio programs.
This image was posted on May 14, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #transistorradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #design
Mid-century design redefined furniture, housewares, and decorative arts as functional and attractive, modern products.
This image was posted on July 11, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #portableradio #retroradio #retro #eames #plywood
Mid-century design redefined furniture, housewares, and decorative arts as functional and attractive, modern products.
This image was posted on July 11, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #portableradio #retroradio #retro #eames #plywood
Described by Fortune magazine in 1936 as “the gaudy brother of somber Bakelite,” Catalin, the trade name for a cast-phenolic plastic made in a variety of brilliant colors, was first used to make smaller items such as bracelets, chess pieces, and buckles.
This image was posted on May 10, 2018.
#radiosfo #catalin #plastics #bakelite #resin #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #normanbelgeddes #modernism #design
During the 1930s, the finest radio sets were influenced by popular aesthetic movements such as Art Deco, with designs rendered in streamlined and asymmetrical shapes.
This image was posted on August 07, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #transistorradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #artdeco
Described by Fortune magazine in 1936 as “the gaudy brother of somber Bakelite,” Catalin, the trade name for a cast-phenolic plastic made in a variety of brilliant colors, was first used to make smaller items such as bracelets, chess pieces, and buckles.
This image was posted on May 10, 2018.
#radiosfo #catalin #plastics #bakelite #resin #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #normanbelgeddes #modernism #design
In 1922, Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and the extensive artifacts uncovered with it sparked renewed enthusiasm for all things Egyptian, including this lavishly decorated, early battery powered radio set manufactured by Metro Electric of Chicago.
This image was posted on July 17, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #battery #batterypowered #retroradio #retro #bakelite #egyptianrevival #design
Bakelite was the first plastic used to make radio cases, allowing for sleek, modern designs not possible with wooden construction.
This image was posted on April 12, 2018.
#ontheradio #radiosfo #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #transistorradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #bakelite #artdeco
Described by Fortune magazine in 1936 as “the gaudy brother of somber Bakelite,” Catalin, the trade name for a cast-phenolic plastic made in a variety of brilliant colors, was first used to make smaller items such as bracelets, chess pieces, and buckles.
This image was posted on May 10, 2018.
#radiosfo #catalin #plastics #bakelite #resin #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradio #portableradio #retroradio #retro #normanbelgeddes #modernism #design
Molded plastics allowed for innovative and modern styling in radio design.
This image was posted on April 17, 2018.
#radiosfo #ontheradio #radio #radios #wireless #vintage #antique #vintageradios #transistorradio #portableradio #plaskon