Project 4

     Between the years of 1937-1945, the radio was considered the display piece of the family. Its characteristics spoke of the families wealth and status which, in this post-Depression time-period, were quite important. There were many different styles of radios by this time, and people wanted to get more impressive radios than those that they owned during the Depression. These "Depression Radios" were very compact and poorly made (McMahan). This was due to the lack of money for materials during the Great Depression. After the Great Depression, money was available for better radios, so people took advantage of this situation to look better in the public eye.

Console Cabinets

     During this time, there were two basic types of radios. The first type was the upright console radio, which would normally be placed in the living room or den. This type of radio was more powerful than smaller ones. Ari Severe's project notes how more people were able to gather around a bigger radio in the living room. The console radio cabinet came in a wide variety of designs. Below are two console radio cabinets which I have selected to talk about.

  Zenith Model 6B-129 (1937)         Silverstone Model 4586 (1937)
     I will first talk about the Zenith 6B-129 Model of 1937. This model was 22.5 x 16.5 x 12 inches and was very decorated. The scalloped edge at the top of the radio decorated the speaker below it. The circular tuning display at the bottom of the radio was accented by the circular tuning dials. The cabinet was made out of such woods as walnut, mahogany, and maple.

     The next console radio is the Silverstone 4586 Model of 1937. This radio had a very sleek design from top to bottom. Its curved edges made it look very classy, and the circular tuning display brought out all of the radios features. This radio was priced at about $100-very economical for its time. (John Pelham's Antique Wood Radios)

     Not pictured, but having a nice design was the Oriole II Tube AC Console. This console was quite large with the dimension of 39.5 x 23.25 x 13.25 inches. At the center of the top was the tuning dials and display. Down the front of the radio were decorative bands, and a wide speaker. The radio was made from American Walnut, and was one continuous one piece of wood. It had curved edges, and was quite a display piece. In 1938, the Burnstein-Applebee Company sold this model for $46.45. (Burnstein-Applebee Company, 1938).

Portable Radios

     As time went on, radios got smaller. Women began to think that they took up too much room in the home, and were very unstylish. Soon, smaller radios appeared on the market, and were located in all areas of the home. For the various tastes in home decorating, radios were designed in appropriate fashions. Below are two of the contrasting styles of compact radios.

  Crosley Model 45-BV (1940)         Philco Model PT-44 (1941)

     The Crosley Model 45-BV has very unique in its design. Made as a portable radio, it was furnished with two toned aluminum, with a fold-up lunch box style cover. The antenna is stored inside the plastic cover. This radio looked sort of outlandish, and would probably not be used on the main level of the house. It would most likely have been used in the basement, garage, or in an upstairs bedroom. As more explicitly stated in Sarah Doran's project, the Crosley Company was one of the leading companies in radio production in the 1930's and 40's. Many different styles and designs were made by Crosley.

     The Philco Model PT-44 was a classicly designed radio for its time. It had rounded edges, and a grooved panel over the speaker. Also, the tuning dial was smaller and more compact. It was made from woods such as walnut, maple, and mahogany, and could have been used in the kitchen, bedroom, or dining room.

     Another small radio that is not pictured was the Oriole Lay-Down Model. This radio was small and compact, and can be placed on a table or a shelf. It was a basic radio, except it had three black bands laying horizontally across the front face. The speaker was off to the side, and the tuning dial was on the other side. This model was made of walnut and is hand rubbed to its mahogany finish. It was 14.25 x 9.25 x 8.25 inches. The Burnstein Applebee Company was selling this radio in 1939 for $18.89 (Burnstein-Applebee Company, 1939).


     As years went on, women began to see the radio as a nuisance. They began to hide the radio in various furniture pieces around the house, such as cabinets, bookcases, and even desks. This way, the radio could be seen, not heard (Kastl). Some radio models were designed as phonographs and radios combined. These sold for a higher price, but were viewed as a luxury by people.


     The radio in the late 1930's and 40's was a luxury, but was also a necessity at the time. The design of the radio was very important to how people were viewed after the Great Depression. The style and design of the radios they owned reflected them in many ways. You could tell if a person was conservative or outgoing by what style of radio they owned. It is hard to believe that something as common as the radio could have such an enormous impact on life after the Great Depression.

Primary Sources

* Oriole II Tube AC Console. Advertisement. Burnstein-Applebee Company Catalog. 1938.

* New Oriole Lay-Down Model. Advertisement. Burnstein-Applebee Company Catalog. 1939.

Secondary Sources

* Kastl, Norma B. "New Cabinets For The Radio." House Beautiful. October 1932.

* Doran, Sarah. "You're There With A Crosley." 1997. http://otal.umd.edu/~vj08/project4.html

* McMahan, Morgan E. A Flick of the Switch 1930-1950. Vintage Radio: California, 1975

* Severe Ari. No Title. 1997. http://otal.umd.edu/~vj27/project4.html

* Pelhem, John. "John Pelhem's Antique Wood Radios." No Date. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/w1ja/wood.htm