It was December, 1938. Bill had been watching the front window display of Atwood’s Radio Shop, the local Philco dealer, for more than two years. In the summer of 1936, the new 1937 Philco models first became available. It was then that Bill first noticed the model 37-690, which he thought was the most magnificent radio he had ever seen.
The salesman, Walt, happed to be a friend of his. He had gone in and asked Walt to give him a demonstration of the 690. Walt, knowing Bill could never afford a $375 model 690 on his salary as a teller in a local bank, was kind enough to demonstrate the expensive radio without commenting on Bill’s inability to purchase one.
Bill could not get the radio out of his mind. He continued to wait, and dream, hoping something could happen to allow him to purchase a 690.
The 1937 radio selling season became the 1938 selling season. Philco had introduced a new version of the 690, model 38-690. Now, instead of large double doors which concealed the entire front of the radio, the newer model had a rolltop cover which concealed only the set’s control panel.
Bill thought it was even more grand than the 1937 version.
But there was still one problem – he could not afford a $395 radio on his bank teller’s salary.
So he kept waiting, thinking that perhaps he might be able to afford one when the 1939 models came out.
By December 1938, Philco’s new 1939 line of radios had been available for more than five months. Bill was surprised to find that there was no 690 included in the new lineup. He went into the radio store to ask his friend, Walt, about it.
“No, Philco did not continue a 690 for 1939,” Walt said. “Philco decided to go in a different direction this year. Now, Mystery Control is the new, big thing.”
“What is Mystery Control?” Bill asked.
“Glad you asked. It’s a wireless remote control. It allows the owner to change radio stations, turn the volume up and down, and turn the set off with this.”
Walt picked up the large Mystery Control remote unit and handed it to Bill.
“You can do everything with this unit right here.”
“Now, wait a minute, Walt. I was looking at this radio. It only has two shortwave bands instead of four. And there is no selectivity control for high fidelity reception.”
“Yeah, Philco eliminated the fidelity-selectivity control in their high-end radios this year. Like I said, Mystery Control is the new, big thing this year.”
“Big deal,” said Bill, disgusted. “I wanted to be able to pick up high-fidelity broadcasts on a radio I would consider purchasing.”
Again, Walt did not mention Bill’s inability to purchase such a radio.
“You know, Bill, you’re the only man who has been in here and even noticed that, let alone mentioned it. People love the Mystery Control. Why, this 39-116XX is going to sell like hotcakes this year!”
Bill left the store soon after and went home.
Dinner having come and gone, Bill settled down in the living room with the evening newspaper. He looked at his radio, a 1931 Philco model 90 Baby Grand, and shook his head. This has been a very good radio, but it does not compare to a 38-690, he thought.
While being absorbed in reading the paper, Bill was startled when the telephone suddenly rang. Knowing his wife Dorothy was busy with dishes, he jumped up to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Good evening, Bill,” came the reply from a familiar voice. “Walt here. I’m just getting ready to leave the store, and I thought you might want to know about a great deal I am prepared to offer you for a radio I think you would be interested in.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
“We have one of those Philco model 38-690 sets in the store now. It’s only eight months old. It’s a repossession – the previous owner stopped making payments.”
“Who owned it, Walt?”
“Come on, Bill, you know I can’t tell you that. Anyway, this radio is still in excellent condition and looks like it was hardly ever used.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“Can you come in and look at it tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there after I leave work.”
“Fine. See you then.”
What a wonderful Christmas present to Dorothy and I, Bill thought. Then, his mind immediately thought of money. I wonder how much they will want for a used 38-690?
Right after work the next day, Bill entered Atwood’s Radio Shop.
Walt had seen Bill as he neared the store and greeted him just inside the door. “Hello, Bill. Follow me and look at this 38-690.”
Bill followed Walt to a back room. He was frankly surprised that the 38-690 was not out in the showroom with the other new and slightly used radios.
Bill found that Walt had given him an accurate description of the 38-690. Indeed, it looked like a brand-new radio. It had no scratches, no flaws.
“Listen to this,” Walt was saying as he fumbled to attach an antenna to the radio so Bill could try it out for himself. Within seconds Walt had the antenna attached to the radio. By then it had warmed up and was playing Christmas music being broadcast by the local radio station.
Bill turned the fidelity-selectivity control and the music became more lifelike as he turned the control toward the fidelity side.
“Say, now this is a real radio!”
“Go ahead,” Walt said. “Tune it around. Try the shortwave bands. Since it’s early evening now, you’ll hear more on the second shortwave band, around 6 to 7 megacycles or so.”
Bill put the radio through its paces and was pleased with the set’s performance.
Just then an older man entered the back room of the shop through the back door.
“Doggone it, I hate the cold weather. I’m surprised we haven’t had any snow yet. Walt, how’s business? Did you sell anything today? And who is this gentleman?”
It was Mr. Atwood, owner of the shop.
“Hello, Mr. Atwood. I knew this man had been interested in this particular Philco model, so when it came in yesterday, I immediately called him and asked him to come in and look at it,” said Walt.
“Fine, that’s fine.” Mr. Atwood suddenly stopped and looked closely at Bill. “Say, haven’t I seen you somewhere before?”
“Not that I can recall,” replied Bill, wondering why Mr. Atwood was suddenly giving him the once over.
“Hmmm. I never forget a face. I know I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Mr. Atwood thought for a few moments, and then he suddenly exclaimed, “Yes! Of course! I remember you! Four years ago, and it was in December then also, I was trying to change a tire in the bitter cold. It had started to snow also. And then, out of nowhere, you came along. You insisted on taking over. You installed the spare tire on my car. I tried to give you something for your trouble, and you refused. And then you were gone before I could ask your name or properly thank you.”
“Well, I’m glad I could be of service, but I honestly don’t remember –“
“I’ve never forgotten your kindness that evening, and have always wished I could find you and give you some sort of token of my appreciation. So, you like this radio, huh? Do you have a trade-in?”
Bill thought a moment. Even if Mr. Atwood were kind enough to give me a discount, I still don’t know how much they are asking for this radio. I don’t know if I can afford it!
Realizing he needed to say something, Bill responded with, “Uh, well, I do have a 1931 Philco model 90 Baby Grand –“
“Fine, fine, those were excellent radios in their time,” Mr. Atwood interrupted. “And they still are, provided they have been properly taken care of.”
“Oh, I’ve taken care of it, all right,” said Bill.
“I’m sure you have. Now, Walt, have you informed this young man of the price of this Philco?”
“No, sir, not yet,” said Walt.”
“Tell you what. I really owe you a big favor. You don’t know it, but your kindness allowed me to get home in time so I could take my wife to the picture show. Oh, I hate to think what might have happened if I had been late! Young man – say, what is your name, anyway?”
“William Newman. Everyone calls me Bill.”
“All right, Bill. For you, this radio is – FIFTY DOLLARS.”
Bill couldn’t believe it. He had paid more than that for his Philco 90 back in 1931!
“And,” Mr. Atwood continued, “I’ll allow you $20 for your Philco 90, sight unseen. I trust you. So that leaves a balance due of $30. What do you say, Bill?”
Bill knew he could come up with thirty dollars.
“Sold!”
“Fine. Walt, take care of this gentleman while I head into the office for a bit and see if we made any money today. And Bill, thank you so much for changing that tire for me years ago – you don’t know how much it meant to me.”
“Well, thank you, sir!”
Walt led Bill back out front into the store.
“Today is your lucky day, my friend. Do you know how much we were going to ask for that radio?”
“I would be afraid to ask.”
“$200. Like I said, it’s like new. Besides, as you know, Philco doesn’t make these anymore.”
Bill could not wait to get home and tell Dorothy that they were getting an almost-new radio for Christmas.