Presto

Radio Enlists for National Defense
RADIO ENLISTS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
National defense has become the radio industry's main
theme song. Radio from research to assembly line is geared
and moving as never before in its history to provide Uncle Sam
with the most efficient and extensive communication system
ever operated on land, sea and in the air.
The recent $7,605,773 order placed by the United States
Army with the Radio Corporation of America was the largest
order of its kind in the records of radio manufacturing. The
industry is gearing the machinery of manufacturing to accel-
erate production of all types of radio apparatus. Vacuum tubes
now are being turned out by the industry as a whole at the
rate of 400,000 daily.
Evidence of RCA's policy of "full steam ahead" is found
in the recent announcement that the corporation has arranged
with a group of banks to borrow $15,000,000 at 1-% per cent
for five years, for expansion of research and production facil-
ities to speed national defense orders of the Government.
Vital Role of Communications
Recognizing the vital role of communication in national
defense, the radio men last summer placed large orders for
tool machinery and took steps to remove any possible "bottle-
necks" long before actual orders were received. In the case
of RCA, throughout the entire organization national defense
television research to manufacturing, from domestic broad-
casting to international communication. It is no secret that
the National Research Council at a time such as this calls in
the experts of all fields, and that the RCA Laboratories have
been enlisted to help the United States Government.
"RCA is conscious of its obligation to the Government in
the speedy advancement of the defense program", said Meade
Brunet, Manager of Engineering Products, who is also in
charge of the Washington Office of the RCA Manufacturing
Company. "For more than six months RCA has been training
additional personnel, while expanding research and production
facilities in a program that has added considerably to employ-
ment. Employees by the thousands have pledged themselves
to play their parts in the defense program and to deliver all
equipment on schedule."
Program Made Last June
"The program was carefully mapped last June," said Mr.
Brunet, "and we are following it to the letter. Thoroughly co-
ordinated all along the line, it has entailed an expenditure of
several million dollars in tools and in expanding manufacturing
space. The RCA did not wait for the passage of the amortiza-
tion and tax bill before swinging full force into action for na-
tional defense. We recognize defense as self-preservation, and
that is why plans were so elaborately made early in 1940. This
foresight has averted any curtailment of our regular manufac-
turing of radios for the home. We took time by the forelock,
since the World War shed evidence enough of what might be
expected of radio in national defense," said Mr. Brunet.
So vast has the radio industry become since the World War
that it is estimated military orders for radio equipment in 1940
will be fifty to one compared with 1917, when radio did not
have the world-wide scope it has today. It is pointed out that
vacuum tubes in 1917 were limited in number and highly ex-
pensive, yet today more than 500 different types are manu-
factured at prices that represent only a fraction of those pre-
vailing twenty years ago. Also' during the World War an
aviator "just looked to the ground" to find his way or get
back to his base. Today, radio provides him with a voice that
travels far, with bling flying instruments, and with direction
finders.
l'AUK
TWELVE
Radio In Front In Defense
Furthermore, development of auto radios, short waves,
microwaves and broadcasting, unknown or little used during
the World War, are now powerful "weapons" in communica-
tion on land, sea and in the air. The massive alternators of
1917 have been replaced by the more efficient vacuum tubes
that hurl spoken words around the globe. It was a real
achievement in 1917-18 to toss dots and dashes across the At-
lantic on long wavelengths. Communication experts point out,
therefore, that all the new uses discovered for radio since the
Armistice was signed in 1918, now put radio far to the front
in any program that pertains to national defense. To a large
extent, radio men confess, their activities must be couched in
secrecy at this time, especially in regard to the development
of secret communication. But they are quick to add, "national
defense is our No. 1 theme song."
In addition, through broadcasting and continued improve-
ment of the American system, the public is being informed
quickly of all new developments at home and abroad. Since
broadcasting as a public service was a "by-product" of the
World War, such simultaneous contact with the populace was
not possible when the A.E.F. was overseas. Also today, radio
is an important Pan-American link of friendship that helps to
knit the Americas "all for one, one for all."
The key to putting the United States far in the lead in
radio is generally recognized as research, out of which it is
expected, based on World War experience, to bring forth new
instruments, if, as and when world peace lifts the curtain of
mystery behind which the radio lesearch experts are now at
work.
OUR DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN HOLIDAY
Thanksgiving Day is an American institution and there
probably is no other holiday that penetrates so deeply into
the consciousness of the American People. Rich and poor;
great and small; realist and idealist; stoic and enthusiast;
ruralite and urbanite; every American celebrates Thanksgiv-
ing. It embraces among its celebrants men and women of
every creed, color, and nationality. It is America's day. It
tends mightily to draw us divers peoples of the United States
together.
Thanksgiving is different from other holidays because its
origin and spirit are peculiarly American. And because it is
so American, it should cause every American to pause and re-
flect on the meaning and significance of things American.
America should be thankful in 1940. Daily we compare
the fortunate state of our Country with that of many other
countries. We do not desire to gloat over the misfortunes
of others for in many cases the great masses of people in many
unhappy lands are not to blame for their misfortunes. We are
still FREE. We have no dictation at home and we have no
war abroad. Mental liberty, a higher standard of physical liv-
ing, and the spiritual right of the individual to influence his
own destiny are distinctive elements of Americanism.
This Thanksgiving was celebrated on different days, No-
vember 21st and November 28th as a result of the choice of
different States. But it was observed in true American fashion
everywhere.
Personally, we hope everyone will soon celebrate on the
same day as to do so seems to give more unity to the event.
But all in all Thanksgiving 1940 was a glorious American Day.
We live in the hope that next Thanksgiving will still find us
at peace with the world—and peace restored to the world.
PRESTO
MISIO
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