Ekco AD36 radio receiver in phenolic plastic case, 1935

Ekco AD36 radio receiver in phenolic plastic case, 1935

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Ekco AD36 radio receiver, 4-valve TRF domestic receiver in circular Bakelite phenolic plastic case, and cables, by E K Cole Limited, Southend-on-Sea; England, 1935

The EKCO AD65 broadcast radio receiver was an iconic Art Design and is one of the most recognisable forms of the Art Deco-style ‘round radio’ design from the 1920s and 1930s, made possible through the use of Bakelite, the first plastic to be used for radio cases. When combined with a wood flour filler, phenol formaldehyde, known by its trade name 'Bakelite' after its inventor Leo Baekeland, formed a useful mouldable plastic, with very good electrical insulating properties.

The EKCO AD65 radio was a four-valve TRF (Tuned Radio Frequency) domestic receiver in a circular Bakelite case. TRF radios were usually battery powered, and as the batteries were costly, the radio was normally only turned on to listen to a specific programme. Tuning was a complicated process, so much so that listeners were advised to switch their sets on 10 or 20 minutes before the programme started to allow sufficient time to tune in.

Details

Category:
Radio Communication
Object Number:
1990-7
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy), celluloid (cellulose), copper (metal), electronic components, fibreboard, glass, phenol formaldehyde (Bakelite) and steel (metal)
Measurements:
overall: 370 mm x 370 mm x 190 mm, 6.024 kg
type:
radio receiver
credit:
Peverett, A.