RADIO

Today most people do not listen to the radio, unless they are driving somewhere. In the 1930s when the commercial radios hit the market, only few rich people could afford it. Back then radio was the technological break through of the time. Now radios have been replaced by Big screen TV, entertainment systems, and personal computers. All of these fancy media devices owe their existence to the Vacuum tubes radios of the early 20th century. It is amazing to see after 70-80 years most of these vacuum tube radios still look beautiful and work perfect. The vacuum tube radios are the technical breakthrough that made the present electronics revolution possible. They also represent an artistic creativity of their time. Tube radios carry nostalgic and sentimental values from generation to generation. That is why vacuum tube radios are so unique. Vacuum tube radios are the pioneers of the today’s digital revolution. Early radios of the twentieth century use vacuum tube at the heart of their operations. In a sense vacuum tube radios are the grandparents of transistors and microchips. Most electronic equipments run by a microchip. Microchips operate on the same principal that is used in the old vacuum tubes radios, except they take less space. Without vacuum tube technology, cell-phone, laptop, PC, and digital TV would not exist. In addition to their technological innovation, vacuum tube radios have unique artistic features. In the 1930s plastic technology was not as advanced as today. Back then wood was used as the main material for most consumer product’s frame. Many items such a boats, cars, and telephones used wood extensively. Besides being the main structural frame, wood was used to enhance the appearance of these products and attract customers. Geometric shapes such as circles and arches were incorporated in the structure to make the product stand out.