Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What the heck is it?!

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a Crosley Dynacone! And in 1929, you could have one for $25.00. It was the choice for radio lovers in every modern American household of the period. One could say it was a must have radio accessory, known for its sound reproduction and affordability.

On August 31, 1920, the first known news radio program was broadcast in Detroit, Michigan. At the same time, Powel Crosley founded the company that pioneered radio broadcasting. The story goes, Mr. Crosley wanted to buy his son a radio for his birthday but the steep price of $130 dollars was unacceptable. Crosley decided to build his own radio for cheaper and when his finished radio only cost him $35 to build, he was inspired to build for the masses. The first mass manufactured radio, the Harko, sold for $9 and became so wildly popular that Powel Crosley became known as the "Henry Ford of Radio." In 1927 Crosley Radio was the number one radio manufacturer in the world.

 During the mid 1920s the Crosley Dynacone amplifying speaker revolutionized the way was radio heard. Radio static was a listener nightmare before the introduction of FM radio in 1933 and manufacturers were constantly challenged to provide clean, clear sound.  Crosley once again rose to the challenge and produced an affordable, all American product for every household. Connected to a Crosley Showbox radio receiver, the Dynacone's field magnet technology reduced the static sound of AM radio producing dynamic tone and volume.  It not only had enough sound to fill a dance hall but also captivated radio hour listeners. It's not hard to imagine our Crosley enthralling an audience at the Busy Corner Drug Store or even whispering a tune at the Pekkarine Mercantile.

Like HDTV and plasma picture to today's television viewer, the Crosely Dynacone was an innovation that gave your everyday Joe unsurpassed listening pleasure.