Founded in 1943 by Robert L Drake to supply radio equipment to the United States government, after the second world war they expanded into manufacturing amateur radio transmitters and receivers. Drake expanded their product line with marine radios and other reception hardware. In 1981, Drake investigated the then semi-hobbyist field of home satellite reception equipment. Drake engineers, under the leadership of founder's son Peter Drake, completed a prototype satellite receiver in just four months. The demand for satellite receivers in the 1980s was overwhelming, convincing Drake to manufacture commercial satellite receivers and distribution equipment, as well as reception equipment for the international marketplace. In 1997 Drake brought its expertise in the RF communications field to the assistive listening market. In 1998 Drake introduced video modulators in miniature.