About the radio: At last, an easy to use radio with a "single dial" tuner (which actually had been available for a couple of years) that runs on AC power (no more batteries) and the horn speaker has been replaced with a cone speaker for better fidelity.

The problem of feedback on the more powerful stations (caused by using triodes as RF amplifiers) was solved using a "Neutrodyne" circuit developed by Louis Alan Hazeltine

The sensitivity of this set is adjusted using a regeneration control on the lower left. Note that the dial is still calibrated in "log" numbers (1-100) instead of frequencies like today's radios which meant keeping a log of where stations could be found on the dial.
Turning this set on or off requires that you reach in through a hole in the back of the cabinet to reach the on/off switch!
The metal cabinet with wrinkle paint was typical of most sets of this era.

In 1920, Powel Crosley (1886-1961) set out to produce an affordable radio and went on to build one of the most successful electronics companies of the early 20th century, earning him the reputation "The Henry Ford of Radio". In 1922 Crosley started radio station WLW, which, in 1934, would become the most powerful station in the country (500,000 watts). In 1935 Crosley introduced the "Roamio", the first car radio.
The Crosley corporation is still in business making appliances and reproduction antique radios and phonographs, visit them at www.crosley.com.

The World Of 1928

· President: Calvin Coolidge
· Population: 120,509,000
·Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.02
· Unemployment: 4.2%

Headlines

· U.S. voters elect Herbert Hoover president.
· Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin.
· Walt Disney introduces Galloping Gaucho and Steamboat  Willie, the first cartoons with sound.
· Kellogg-Briand Pact, outlawing war, is signed in Paris by 65 nations.
· Richard E. Byrd starts an expedition to Antarctica; returns in 1930.

Oscars:

· Outstanding Picture: "Wings"
· Best Actor: Emil Jannings, "The Last Command" & "The Way of All Flesh".
· Best Actress: Janet Gaynor, "7th Heaven", "Street Angel" & "Sunrise".

· World Series: NY Yankees d. St. Louis Cardinals (4-0)

World Headlines

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Historical Data From InfoPlease.com

· "Voice of Firestone" music show begins on NBC.
· NBC sets up a permanent, coast to coast network.
· William S. Paley becomes president of CBS.
· "Amos & Andy" premiers on NBC Red radio network.
· "The Rise of the Goldbergs" premiers on NBC radio.
· Tubes for AC radios are introduced. (Types 226 and 227)
· Screen Grid tubes are introduced. ( Types 222 & 224)

Listening to the Radio in 1928

NBC Blue) 7:00 Cooks Travelogue (Talk)
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NBC Blue) 7:30 Roxy and His Gang (Variety)
NBC Red) 7:30 James McDonald; International Affairs (Talk)
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NBC Red) 8:00 Firestone Concert (Music)
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NBC Blue) 8:30 Automatic Disc Duo (Variety)
CBS) 8:30 CeCo Couriers (Variety)
NBC Red) 8:30 A & P Gypsies String Ensemble (Variety)
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NBC Blue) 9:00 Neapolitan Nights (Variety)
CBS) 9:00 Physical Culture Hour (Light Drama)
NBC Red) 9:00 Ingrams Shavers Orchestra (Variety)
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NBC Blue) 9:30 Real Folks (Light Drama)
CBS) 9:30 Vitaphone Hour (Variety)
NBC Red) 9:30 General Motors Party (Variety)
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Note: CBS began broadcasting in 1927

*Radio ratings services did not begin until next year (1929)

The current Crosley Radio Company site
Jim Watson's Crosley Radio site with  technical advice forum

Radio Attic's Crosley picture archive.
Any other Crosley Links? Please Email Me!

Click Here to See Some Advertising Postcards

The tuner assembly with the gear installed.