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Radio Products Corporation | [[Image:Ahrs-logo4a.jpg|right|thumb|275px|A "Superflex" radio shown on the AHRS logo]] | ||
The '''Radio Products Corporation''' was the [[Birmingham]]-based manufacturer of '''Superflex''' broadcast radio receivers. The corporation was founded in [[1925]] by inventor [[Ernest W. House]] with [[W. T. Estes]] and [[Jelk Cabiness]]. The company manufactured its radio sets in a facility at 3816 [[28th Street North]] in [[North Birmingham]]. The factory featured roof-mounted loudspeakers which were used for advertising and special public-interest broadcasts (such as radio coverage of prize fights). | |||
"He had more curiosity than fourteen cats!” That’s the way Ernest W. House, inventor and maker of the Superflex radio, is described. He was a true entrepreneur and inventor. An energetic man, House was noted for his mechanical and electronic genius. A person of immense talent, he was known to do everything from raising chickens to building a motorcycle in his mother's kitchen. He invented, then manufactured the Superflex radio in a factory in north Birmingham, the only known production faculty of its type in the deep south. | House's primary innovation was an electric circuit that provided feedback to the tuner, allowing for "self-tuning". Superflex radios were also distinguished by using fewer vacuum tubes than 3-dial models and for having a distinctive "stage curtain" design on the front panel. | ||
The company was not able to survive the [[Great Depression]]. Its assets were sold out of bankruptcy to repay investors. Some company records and the only two known Superflex radio sets are owned by the [[Alabama Historical Radio Society]] and displayed in the lobby of the [[Alabama Power Building]] at 600 [[18th Street North]] in downtown Birmingham. | |||
<!--"He had more curiosity than fourteen cats!” That’s the way Ernest W. House, inventor and maker of the Superflex radio, is described. He was a true entrepreneur and inventor. An energetic man, House was noted for his mechanical and electronic genius. A person of immense talent, he was known to do everything from raising chickens to building a motorcycle in his mother's kitchen. He invented, then manufactured the Superflex radio in a factory in north Birmingham, the only known production faculty of its type in the deep south. | |||
House came to Birmingham from Nashville at the young age of ten. Prior to going into the radio business he operated a typewriter firm, Typewriter Exchange, in downtown Birmingham. | House came to Birmingham from Nashville at the young age of ten. Prior to going into the radio business he operated a typewriter firm, Typewriter Exchange, in downtown Birmingham. | ||
He tinkered with crystal radio sets. One set he made used an oatmeal box and a galena crystal. He enjoyed exploring new ways of doing things, examining paths not undertaken by others, still, it was said that people did not know exactly why he started to delve into radio. The wonders of old crystal radio sets apparently gave him momentum to become more deeply immersed in the mystery of radio. | He tinkered with crystal radio sets. One set he made used an oatmeal box and a galena crystal. He enjoyed exploring new ways of doing things, examining paths not undertaken by others, still, it was said that people did not know exactly why he started to delve into radio. The wonders of old crystal radio sets apparently gave him momentum to become more deeply immersed in the mystery of radio. | ||
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No sales records for the Superflex are known to exist, however it is known sales were negatively impacted by the economic condition caused by the Great Depression and later by technologically advanced superheterodyne sets. | No sales records for the Superflex are known to exist, however it is known sales were negatively impacted by the economic condition caused by the Great Depression and later by technologically advanced superheterodyne sets. | ||
House contemplated redesigning his radios to incorporate the new technology, but was forced to close the business when the bottom fell out of the radio market. The company filed for bankruptcy and all the assets were liquidated. | House contemplated redesigning his radios to incorporate the new technology, but was forced to close the business when the bottom fell out of the radio market. The company filed for bankruptcy and all the assets were liquidated. | ||
Ernest House was a uniquely talented man. He accomplished much: from building a motorcycle , racing at the fairgrounds, energetically devoting himself to mechanical and electrical pursuits, installing a radio in a city police car and even teaching his son to play the harmonica. He was the epitome of American ingenuity and inventiveness. His own brand of making things happen helped create the " Magic City" of Birmingham. | Ernest House was a uniquely talented man. He accomplished much: from building a motorcycle, racing at the fairgrounds, energetically devoting himself to mechanical and electrical pursuits, installing a radio in a city police car and even teaching his son to play the harmonica. He was the epitome of American ingenuity and inventiveness. His own brand of making things happen helped create the " Magic City" of Birmingham.--> | ||
==References== | |||
* "Four-Tube One-Dial Control Receiver" (March 1927) ''Radio Retailing''. | |||
* Bates, George (January 1991) "[http://alabamahistoricalradiosociety.org/docs/Superflex_article.pdf SuperflexA-1021X:Manufacturing Radios In Birmingham]". ''Radio Age''. Vol. 16, No. 1 | |||
[[Category:Radio]] | |||
[[Category:Birmingham products]] | |||
[[Category:Former manufacturers]] | |||
[[Category:28th Street North]] | |||
[[Category:1925 establishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:33, 20 July 2013
The Radio Products Corporation was the Birmingham-based manufacturer of Superflex broadcast radio receivers. The corporation was founded in 1925 by inventor Ernest W. House with W. T. Estes and Jelk Cabiness. The company manufactured its radio sets in a facility at 3816 28th Street North in North Birmingham. The factory featured roof-mounted loudspeakers which were used for advertising and special public-interest broadcasts (such as radio coverage of prize fights).
House's primary innovation was an electric circuit that provided feedback to the tuner, allowing for "self-tuning". Superflex radios were also distinguished by using fewer vacuum tubes than 3-dial models and for having a distinctive "stage curtain" design on the front panel.
The company was not able to survive the Great Depression. Its assets were sold out of bankruptcy to repay investors. Some company records and the only two known Superflex radio sets are owned by the Alabama Historical Radio Society and displayed in the lobby of the Alabama Power Building at 600 18th Street North in downtown Birmingham.
References
- "Four-Tube One-Dial Control Receiver" (March 1927) Radio Retailing.
- Bates, George (January 1991) "SuperflexA-1021X:Manufacturing Radios In Birmingham". Radio Age. Vol. 16, No. 1