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Firestone first began selling non-automobile radios in 1936,
and they were advertised as "The New Air Chief - Monarch of the Universe!" in the
Fall/Winter 1936-1937 catalog. These radios were likely manufactured by Stewart
Warner, and branded with Firestone tags and emblems. Only three models were listed,
a humble start!
Firestone tended to introduce its new radios in the Fall/Winter
catalogs. This page is listed as 1936-1937, because these radios would have
been available from fall of 1936 through fall of 1937. After this year, I have
denoted radios by the "year of the line". That is, the 1938 "line" was introduced
in the Fall/Winter 1937-1938 catalog, but I simply refer to them as 1938 radios. I have
listed this page with two years as there were no previous 1936 models.
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This was the entry level Firestone set for 1936-37. It's a 4 tube AC-DC set boasting "good performance, at a low cost." It retailed for $13.95.
I have seen a few of these radios in white, as well. While I haven't been able to examine one carefully, it seems that this may have been an optional color.
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| This radio was undoubtably manufactured
for Firestone by Stewart Warner. The same radio can be found with a Stewart
Warner nameplate. The was the middle of the line radio for Firestone in 1936-37,
a 5-tube model in a hand-rubbed walnut cabinet for $23.95.
My copy of this radio was acquired and restored in the summer of 2003. Click here for
the before photo. I have only ever seen a few of these radios. Note
how the center knob is different from those on either side in the ad! The knobs
on my example are wrong.
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This is the top-of-the line Firestone
tabletop radio for 1936-37. It's a 7 tube radio featuring a tuning eye,
large 6 inch airplane-style dial, 8 inch speaker, and a host of other features.
It retailed for $42.50. These are beautiful radios.
My example here has an original but tired finish, and the I think the grille cloth
is wrong (as well as being poorly mounted).
I may refinish this one at some point when I have time, click on the photo for a larger picture.
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Last updated June 29, 2007
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