10-09-2005, 08:00 PM
Automobile Radio Corporation dates back to 1927; and, yes, "Transitone" was originally the trade name for auto radios produced by Automobile Radio Corp. The original Transitones were two dial sets that took up a lot of dashboard space.
Philco was not involved with the company until mid-1930.
By August 1930, Philco was building single-dial Transitone auto radios for Automobile Radio Corporation, as well as distributing them through Philco's dealer network.
Late that year, Philco bought Automobile Radio, creating a new subsidiary for car radios - Transitone Automobile Radio Corporation.
For some reason, in June 1938, Philco's new lineup removed the "Transitone" name from car radios, applying it to a new line of "price leader" (cheap) AM radios for the home - Models TH-1 and TH-3. "Transitone Automobile Radio Corporation" had disappeared by then, home and auto radios now solidly under the Philco umbrella.
The TH-1 may be a Simplex-designed receiver; its circuitry does not resemble any other Philco, and the part numbers for the various parts in the set are quite different than any Philco part numbers.
On the other hand, the TH-3 is pretty much a clone of the Philco Model 38-12CB (brown bakelite), with a different dial scale.
Philco was not involved with the company until mid-1930.
By August 1930, Philco was building single-dial Transitone auto radios for Automobile Radio Corporation, as well as distributing them through Philco's dealer network.
Late that year, Philco bought Automobile Radio, creating a new subsidiary for car radios - Transitone Automobile Radio Corporation.
For some reason, in June 1938, Philco's new lineup removed the "Transitone" name from car radios, applying it to a new line of "price leader" (cheap) AM radios for the home - Models TH-1 and TH-3. "Transitone Automobile Radio Corporation" had disappeared by then, home and auto radios now solidly under the Philco umbrella.
The TH-1 may be a Simplex-designed receiver; its circuitry does not resemble any other Philco, and the part numbers for the various parts in the set are quite different than any Philco part numbers.
On the other hand, the TH-3 is pretty much a clone of the Philco Model 38-12CB (brown bakelite), with a different dial scale.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
