Presto

Issue: 1940 2297

CROSLEY INTRODUCES "COMMUTER"
CAMERA-TYPE POCKET RADIO
The Crosley Corporation recently announced the Com-
muter, a new pocket, camera-type radio listing at $19.95. It
is said that the performance, tone and selectivity are amazing
in a set of this size. It comes in a stylish aluminum case pat-
terned after the design of a jewel case. It is equipped with a
handy gray leather carrying handle. Streamlined, the case has
a polished trim, hinged snap cover, which when raised turns
the set on and places the loop in operating position. The set
weighs only three pounds and five ounces, complete with bat-
teries. Dimensions are 8 inches wide, 4-M inches deep and
2-Va inches high.
The Crosley Commuter uses a small standard 1.5 volt "A"
battery, with an average life of 4 hours, which can be pur-
chased at any drug, hardware, or 5-and-10 store, and a new
67.8 volt "B" battery which has an average life of 40 hours.
An entirely new type and new style of miniature radio
tubes has been designd expressly for compact portable re-
ceivers. Powerful 1.5 volt, they have exceptionally low bat-
tery drain. .The Crosley Commuter is equipped with a 3-inch
permanent magnet dynamic speaker which gives remarkable
tone quality for so small a receiver.
The set covers the American broadcast range from 500
to 1600 kilocycles (187 to 550 meters).
PHILCO CORPORATION CELEBRATES
15 MILLIONTH JUBILEE
On November 14, 1940, just fifteen minutes before quitting
time at a manufacturing plant at Tioga and C Streets, Phila-
delphia, a new production record was set for the radio in-
dustry.
Philco Corporation had completed production on its 15
millionth radio receiving set, approximately one-third of the
total number made by the entire radio industry. A nod from
a worker making a final assembly line test signified that the
radio was in perfect working condition as it rolled to a stop
before a group of spectators, including Mayor Robert E. Lam-
berton, newspaper representatives and photographers, and a
group of the corporation's executives.
George E. Deming, Philco Vice President, in charge cf
Production, presented the Mayor with the console type radio-
phonograph as the factory whistles sounded the close of the
day's work and marked a production achievement made pos-
sible by extensive engineering and research. A small silver
plaque mounted below the control dial on the set read, "The
15 Millionth Philco radio presented to His Honor Mayor
Robert E. Lamberton, By the Philco Corporation, November
14, 1940."
To the left of the Mayor, and taking an active part in the
presentation, stood William Martin, 65 year old Philco Radio
Laboratory employee who has been actively engaged at Philco
for twenty-eight years. He stated that he had seen the first
Philco set made in 1928 and hoped to be on hand for the 100
millionth presentation. "I went to work for Philco when it
was called the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company," said
Martin as he recalled some of the earlier days of the corpora-
tion.
"We were originally called the Helios Electric Company,"
Martin continued. "Of course the company was incorporated
in 1892' about twenty years before my time. "In 1906 the name
was changed to the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company
but it wasn't until January of 1940 that we became the Philco
Corporation.
"Maybe you remember the old 'trickle chargers you used
to charge your storage batteries at home? We invented those
in 1923. We made the first 'socket power' units so that radios
could be operated entirely from house current, too."
Martin continued to recall Philco achievements and seemed
particularly pleased with their latest invention, the photo-
electric phonograph pick-up that plays music from a beam
of light without necessitating needle changes.
Philco executives present included: Harold W. Butler,
Vice President in Charge of Employee and Labor Relations;
John Ballantyne, Treasurer; Ernest B. Loveman; T. E. Ken-
nally, General Sales Manager; David Grimes, Chief Engineer;
John Gilligan, Manager of Specialty Sales; and Joseph Gillies,
Works Manager.
RADIOLA SERIES DESIGNED FOR
SERVICE DEALERS
A new series of Radiola receivers, made by RCA Manu-
facturing Company, especially designed and built for the ex-
acting needs of the service dealer, is being formally an-
nounced to parts distributors and servicemen throughout the
country.
The Radiola series, including six AC-DC table models in
the price range $9.95 — $19.95, a battery-operated, AC-DC
portable, and a record player attachment, was first placed on
the market during the National Parts Show in Chicago in
June.
RADIOLA MODEL 510
PAGE TWENTY-SIX
John C. Marden, Manager of Radiola Sales, says that this
is the first step in a program to make the service man "sales
minded". Mr. Marden points out, "That the Radiola line has
been designed to give tube and equipment distributors han-
dling RCA products an additional line consisting of small
radio receivers in order to broaden their activities with their
customers, the service dealers. The line is the sort to cut
down the high initial investment that would normally be nec-
essary where a distributor is entering a new field."
PKIOSTO MI'STC TTMTCS
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
STEWART-WARNER FREQUENCY
MODULATION "INTERPRETER"
Owners of most standard broadcast receiving sets need
have no fears that these will become outmoded with the ad-
vent of frequency modulation broadcasting, according to of-
ficials of Stewart-Warner Corporation. One of the first to
be awarded licensee rights for the manufacture of receiving
sets under the original Armstrong "F-M" patents, Stewart-
Warner now announces a conversion attachment which may
be plugged into any present style radio equipped with phono-
graph jack, making the latter adaptable to "F-M" reception
without further changes, rewiring, or other alterations.
The new Stewart-Warner "Interpreter", as it is named,
consists of a small, compact cabinet, which may be placed
upon the top of a standard set and attached to the latter with
a simple "plug-in" connection. Handsomely constructed of
fine cabinet woods, the "Interpreter" harmonizes nicely with
the appearance of most console radios.
Simplicity of operation is another feature of this new
Stewart-Warner device. It provides automatic push-button
tuning for six stations. Other stations may be tuned in with
a single knob, operating an indicator pointer over the face of
an illuminated, calibrated dial. An on-off switch completes
the "Interpreter" controls.
The "Interpreter" circuit employs nine tubes, operating on
110 volts, 60 cycle current supply. An extra jack is provided
for phonograph pick-up for use with existing record players.
The cabinet of the "Interpreter" has a front panel of cen-
ter-matched stump walnut with rosewood decal band at the
bottom. Top and ends of plain sliced American walnut.
Fluted pilasters of solid walnut. The entire cabinet is hand-
rubbed. The new Stewart-Warner frequency modulation
"Interpreter" is priced below $50 F.O.B. Chicago.
DECEMBER, 1040
RADICAL NEW SOUND DEVELOPMENT—
FANTASOUND
Walt Disney Suggests New Technique
The first public showing of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" un-
veiled an entirely new type of motion picture sound recording
and reproduction which projects a complete third-dimensional
effect of sound and music. Christened "Fantasound" because,
like the picture itself, it represents a revolutionary technique
in sound reproduction. The new system of recording and re-
producing sound-on-film employs entirely new principles both
in the studio production and in theatre presentation. Three
years of work by Disney and RCA engineers went into its de-
velopment.
"Fantasound" causes sound actually to move with the
action on the screen. This realism in sound is accomplished by
the use of a number of loudspeakers placed at different points
behind the motion picture screen. It succeeds in taking music
and sound out of its incidental role in the theatre and elevating
it to the position of an important tool in the hands of the dra-
matist. The result can best be described as surprisingly de-
lightful, or to quote Disney, it is "seeing music and hearing
pictures". Screen sounds come forth with flexibility for the
first time. The music can be followed with the eyes as well
as with the ears not only all over the screen but also around
the theatre.
The premiere of "Fantasia" took place in New York City
on the evening of November 13th before a distinguished audi-
ence. This Disney film of "visual music" by Leopold Stokow-
ski and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra was acclaimed
as a new art form. It consisted of eight parts, the musical
background for which was selected by Deems Taylor who ap-
pears in the film as interpreter.
NEW ZENITH "HOME RECORDER"
Now Zenith brings you more fun with your radio. You
can make your own records right at home by means of this
New Zenith Radio-Phonograph Equipped with the Home-
Recorder.
l'AGE TWENTY-SEVEN
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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