February 13 is World Radio Day! This prototype receiver was made by Alfred Goldsmith in 1921 in response to David Sarnoff’s request for a simple "radio music box". Convinced that most people were uninterested in the technical details of radio and did not need a transmitter, Sarnoff's goal was to sell radios that received signals and had a few simple controls. Goldsmith's prototype, called the RCA Radiola I, could run on direct or alternating current and had only two controls. One knob turned the radio on and controlled the volume, the other selected the station. This set the pattern for mass-produced receivers sold during the 1920s.
RCA "Radiola I" prototype radio broadcast receiver
- Description
- This prototype receiver was made by Alfred Goldsmith in 1921 in response to David Sarnoff’s request for a simple "radio music box". Convinced that most people were uninterested in the technical details of radio and did not need a transmitter, Sarnoff's goal was to sell radios that received signals and had a few simple controls. Goldsmith's prototype, called the RCA Radiola I, could run on direct or alternating current and had only two controls. One knob turned the radio on and controlled the volume, the other selected the station. This set the pattern for mass-produced receivers sold during the 1920s.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- associated person
- Goldsmith, Alfred
- maker
- RCA Corporation
- Radio Corporation of America Research Department
- Date made
- December, 1921
- associated date
- 1921
- Credit Line
- from Gertrude Maud Goldsmith
- Measurements
- overall: 9 1/2 in x 18 in x 10 1/4 in; 24.13 cm x 45.72 cm x 26.035 cm
- Object Name
- radio receiver
- Other Terms
- Radio
