Radios Now Built in Grandfather’s Clock, Tuned by Remote Control (Jul, 1931)
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jul, 1931
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Radios Now Built in Grandfather’s Clock, Tuned by Remote Control
RADIO receiving sets have been manufactured in a wide variety of forms since the coming of broadcasting, but the latest and perhaps most unique appearance which a receiver has assumed is that of a grandfather’s clock. And because such a type of clock belonged to an age which did not enjoy modern day conveniences, it should not be thought that inconvenience is one of the features of this new radio, for the very opposite is the case. To bring in the stations all the listener has to do is press a button on a tuning dial at the arm of his chair, and lo! the music issues from the solemn looking clock with perfect clarity. The manner of tuning is demonstrated in the accompanying photograph. The tuning dial is hooked to the receiver with a concealed cord.
That was the year when husbands and wives started fighting over the remote.
Comment by Repack Rider — August 21, 2009 @ 6:21 am
I want that clock so badly…
Comment by Charlene — August 21, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Now there’s an heirloom that will appreciated by future generations!
Rick
Comment by rick — August 21, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
“The tuning dial is hooked to the receiver with a concealed cord. ”
I hope that means a wire, not a dial cord (string) and complex system of pulleys across the room.
Comment by George — August 21, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
“…it should not be thought that inconvenience is one of the features of this new radio”. Boy, talk about your tortured prose.
Cool clock-radio though.
Comment by Steve — August 23, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
It could be a Bowden cable, like a car speedometer cable. They were pretty commonly used for remote tuning of aircraft radios in WWII, no reason one wouldn’t work in this application.
Comment by David Brodbeck — August 31, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
We in the 21st Century laugh at our pre-digital forbears, but the remote MIGHT have been DIGITAL!
On/Off…
Mute/Quiet/Loud…
One of 5 pre-tuned stations…
would be possible with 1930s technology.
There was a remote controlled radio that used a rotary phone dial!
(Dang! Too sleepy to find it now… But you can see one in one of the “Topper” movies.
He’s at a bar and mistakes the control for a telephone dial.)
(Not “Topper Returns”, that’s at an old house.)
Comment by jayessell — August 31, 2009 @ 10:36 pm