History of Crosley
In 1920 Powel Crosley founded the company that pioneered radio broadcasting and mass market
manufacturing around the world. Dismayed with the $130 price tag for the radio receiver he promised
to buy for his son’s birthday, Crosley decided to make his own. Upon successfully building a working
set for only $35, Crosley was quick to spot the mass market potential.
It was a simple idea - design a fully functioning radio, meticulously craft each unit with obsessive detail
and precise accuracy, and of course add a measure of consideration for the wallet.
This simple idea led Crosley Radio to become the world’s largest radio manufacturer while Powel
Crosley became known as ‘The Henry Ford of Radio.’ His relentless fascination with mechanical
devices, coupled with his intense desire for success, sent Crosley’s career soaring.
Powel Crosley is most well-know for the production of mass market radios, and the creation of WLW –
‘The Nation’s Station’ and the 500,000 watt tower he constructed that transmitted FDR’s Fireside
Chats - incidentally, whose signals were reported to have been heard as far away as Australia! By the
mid 1900’s he presided over a star-studded radio empire that featured such stars such as Rosemary
Clooney, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, and more.
A true industrialist, Crosley also became known for a multitude of ventures. He was famous for The
Crosley – a miniature-sized automobile, fashioned after the lightweight European cars. The chubby-
profiled vehicle promised 50 gallons to the tank and was sold in department stores for just $325.
Crosley’s lifelong obsession with automobiles began at a young age when Crosley, just twelve, won a
bet with his father by successfully powering a four-wheeled wagon with an electric battery and motor.
Having dubbed himself the man of ‘50 jobs in 50 years,’ he continued to amaze the masses with such
creations as: The Shelvador – a refrigeration unit that introduced the new concept of door shelving
units, The Musicone – an instrument used to amplify the entire range of the human voice, The
Moonbeam – Crosley’s self-designed airplane, The Roamio – the first car radio, The Icy-Ball – a
chemical-mechanical ice box that served rural areas lacking electricity, The Reado – a facsimile
system that transmitted words and pictures via radio waves, The Koolrest – a bed cooling system, The
X-er-vac – a machine that stimulated the scalp in an effort to counter baldness, and The Go-bi-bi – a
go-kart/stroller type contraption for young children just to name a few.
However, Crosley’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. As a Cincinnati native, he decided to step in
when the Cincinnati Reds declared bankruptcy. Crosley acquired the team ensuring they would remain
an integral part of Cincinnati’s culture. In 1930 he went on the build Crosley Field which triumphed until
1970 as the famous Cincinnati Reds’ playing field. Crosley was credited with producing the first night
baseball game, transforming Crosley Field from night to day with the flick of a switch powering 615
lamps. He went on in subsequent years to broadcast the first live baseball game on WLW-TV – the
Crosley television broadcasting division.
manufacturing around the world. Dismayed with the $130 price tag for the radio receiver he promised
to buy for his son’s birthday, Crosley decided to make his own. Upon successfully building a working
set for only $35, Crosley was quick to spot the mass market potential.
It was a simple idea - design a fully functioning radio, meticulously craft each unit with obsessive detail
and precise accuracy, and of course add a measure of consideration for the wallet.
This simple idea led Crosley Radio to become the world’s largest radio manufacturer while Powel
Crosley became known as ‘The Henry Ford of Radio.’ His relentless fascination with mechanical
devices, coupled with his intense desire for success, sent Crosley’s career soaring.
Powel Crosley is most well-know for the production of mass market radios, and the creation of WLW –
‘The Nation’s Station’ and the 500,000 watt tower he constructed that transmitted FDR’s Fireside
Chats - incidentally, whose signals were reported to have been heard as far away as Australia! By the
mid 1900’s he presided over a star-studded radio empire that featured such stars such as Rosemary
Clooney, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, and more.
A true industrialist, Crosley also became known for a multitude of ventures. He was famous for The
Crosley – a miniature-sized automobile, fashioned after the lightweight European cars. The chubby-
profiled vehicle promised 50 gallons to the tank and was sold in department stores for just $325.
Crosley’s lifelong obsession with automobiles began at a young age when Crosley, just twelve, won a
bet with his father by successfully powering a four-wheeled wagon with an electric battery and motor.
Having dubbed himself the man of ‘50 jobs in 50 years,’ he continued to amaze the masses with such
creations as: The Shelvador – a refrigeration unit that introduced the new concept of door shelving
units, The Musicone – an instrument used to amplify the entire range of the human voice, The
Moonbeam – Crosley’s self-designed airplane, The Roamio – the first car radio, The Icy-Ball – a
chemical-mechanical ice box that served rural areas lacking electricity, The Reado – a facsimile
system that transmitted words and pictures via radio waves, The Koolrest – a bed cooling system, The
X-er-vac – a machine that stimulated the scalp in an effort to counter baldness, and The Go-bi-bi – a
go-kart/stroller type contraption for young children just to name a few.
However, Crosley’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. As a Cincinnati native, he decided to step in
when the Cincinnati Reds declared bankruptcy. Crosley acquired the team ensuring they would remain
an integral part of Cincinnati’s culture. In 1930 he went on the build Crosley Field which triumphed until
1970 as the famous Cincinnati Reds’ playing field. Crosley was credited with producing the first night
baseball game, transforming Crosley Field from night to day with the flick of a switch powering 615
lamps. He went on in subsequent years to broadcast the first live baseball game on WLW-TV – the
Crosley television broadcasting division.
Today
Today the Crosley name lives on with superbly detailed replicas that truly transcend time.
Reintroductions of original vintage radios and turntables feature the newest technologies graced by
unforgettable Crosley stylings. The Crosley Collection includes AM/FM radios, portable suitcase -
styled record players and turntables, record changers, multi-functional audio cassette/compact disc
players, jukeboxes, music boxes, telephones and more. Rich lines, retro designs and authentic
crafting have made Crosley today’s premier vintage electronics manufacturer. True to the Crosley
tradition, these replicas are as fabulous as they are functional, providing a delightful dose of nostalgia.
Today the Crosley name lives on with superbly detailed replicas that truly transcend time.
Reintroductions of original vintage radios and turntables feature the newest technologies graced by
unforgettable Crosley stylings. The Crosley Collection includes AM/FM radios, portable suitcase -
styled record players and turntables, record changers, multi-functional audio cassette/compact disc
players, jukeboxes, music boxes, telephones and more. Rich lines, retro designs and authentic
crafting have made Crosley today’s premier vintage electronics manufacturer. True to the Crosley
tradition, these replicas are as fabulous as they are functional, providing a delightful dose of nostalgia.
This article uses material by permission of The Crosley Radio Corporation.
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to YesteryearsRadio.com. Yesteryears radio is an online
store specializing in antique reproductions of vintage electronics. Our
old style products include original vintage AM/FM radios, portable
suitcase - styled record players and turntables, record changers,
multi-functional audio cassette/compact disc players, jukeboxes,
telephones, music boxes and more. The rich lines, retro designs and
authentic crafting on these antique replicas provide a delightful dose of
nostalgia. Shop online for our vintage-inspired products, or browse for
information on the golden age of radio.
store specializing in antique reproductions of vintage electronics. Our
old style products include original vintage AM/FM radios, portable
suitcase - styled record players and turntables, record changers,
multi-functional audio cassette/compact disc players, jukeboxes,
telephones, music boxes and more. The rich lines, retro designs and
authentic crafting on these antique replicas provide a delightful dose of
nostalgia. Shop online for our vintage-inspired products, or browse for
information on the golden age of radio.
| This website is best viewed at 1024x768 or higher resolution YesteryearsRadio.com 2093 Woodsedge Ct Suite 2, Hebron KY 41048 Contact us here |
|
| © Copyright 2005-2007. YesteryearsRadio.com. All Rights Reserved. 1-513-254-6061 |
| All other trademarks not owned by YesteryearsRadio.com or its subsidiaries that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners. |
