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Hallicrafters S-40 radio receiver

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Hallicrafters, Inc.
Description
Amateurs began making home radios to transmit and receive messages early in the 1900s. As part of the 1912 Radio Act, these "hams" were assigned to the short-wave part of the radio spectrum. Radio operators around the world learned code, formed clubs, and exchanged cards listing their license numbers.
In 1933, radio enthusiast William (Bill) J. Halligan of Chicago founded The Hallicrafters, Inc. The firm sold radios and other electronic components. Ham radio operation in the U.S. was suspended during World War II, and Hallicrafters devoted its resources to producing military goods.
After the war, it resumed production for consumers. Hobbyists bought receivers like this one. This sturdy object was owned by Charles E. Dennison, a longtime employee of the Smithsonian Institution.
Reference: Max de Henseler, "When the Sky was the Limit, The Hallicrafters Story 1933-1975," unpublished manuscript.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
from Charles E. Dennison
ca 1946
ID Number
EM.334935
catalog number
334935
accession number
315488
model number
S-40
Object Name
radio receiver
Physical Description
steel (overall material)
glass (overall material)
rubber (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 8 1/2 in x 18 1/2 in x 10 1/2 in; 21.59 cm x 46.99 cm x 26.67 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Family & Social Life
Cultures & Communities
Sports & Leisure
Sputnik
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_1271692
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-0b18-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

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