Desk Radio

Manufacturer / Maker Ross Electronics Corp.

Mediumplastic, metal

Dimensions5 1/2 × 7 × 1 3/4 in. (14 × 17.8 × 4.4 cm)

ClassificationsTools & Equipment for Communication

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Brad Jones

Object numberPC1983.38.2

DescriptionThis black desk radio is constructed of plastic and metal. Rising in popularity during the early twentieth century, desk radios and similar portable radios characterized the emergence of commercial broadcasting in the United States throughout the 1920s-50s. The top surface of the radio features a silver boomerang-shaped embellishment spanning from one side to the other. Sitting above this is the speaker portion of the radio, featuring a silver circular border framing the exterior, with the speaker's dotted surface visible inside. "Ross" is engraved in a small metal circle in the center of the speaker, referring to the radio's manufacturer, Ross Electronics Corporation. Two dials sit adjacent to the circular speaker, both including a silver metal rectangular border encompassing the circular dials with ridged edges throughout. The radio's upper left corner features a metal rectangle that reads "Tom Doyle" in capital, engraved lettering, perhaps a relevant constituent of the corporation or the name of a previous owner. Upon inspection of the radio's underside, four circular components sit on all corners, likely for increased stabilization, while two circular parts sit on the top, both reading "OPEN", likely intended for removal when replacing the batteries.

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