05-14-2026, 07:30 AM
More on the Horn vs Cone speaker discourse.
The A-K document "Instructions for Atwater Kent Open Mounted Style Receiving Sets" (i.e. Breadboards such as the Model 5, Model 9s, Model 10s Model 12, etc.), reproduced below, states on Page 2 under "Required Equipment", that "Any standard horn type or magnetic cone type speaker may be used". The above instructions also recommend use of a 6V battery charger and "B" eliminator" if House Current" is available.
The problem is that these instructions were published in 1929, 5-6 years after introduction of the A-K breadboard radios. From my limited research, A-K did not make a magnetic cone speaker until the Model E, made from 1926 to 1929. Earlier magnetic cone speakers included the Timmons Talker (introduced 1924) and the RCA Model 100 (introduced 1925).
It is interesting that these instructions were published in 1929, 5-7 years after the introduction of the first Breadboards. (The Model 1 was introduced in 1922, The Model 5 and the original Model 10 Radiodyne were introduced in 1923, the Model 10 A, B and C and Model 12 were introduced in 1924.) I don't know how long these sets were made but the Model 20 was introduced in 1924, the 20 C (Compact) was introduced in 1925, the Single Tuning Dial" Models 30 in 1935, the metal cased Model 35 in 1926, the first AC A-K set, the Model 36 was introduced in 1927. The metal case Model 40, Model 44, etc. were introduced in 1928The much more sophisticated Model 55 was introduced in 1929. In other words, This manual was published 4 generations after the breadboard sets. The Model DE speaker was introduced in 1926, along with the Model 35 which had the '71A "power tube" audio output.
I don't know when A-K ceased manufacture or sale. (Did they have a backlog like RCA did on RA/DA, RC and other sets?) The fact that they introduced a manual for these sets in 1929 (Or were there earlier versions of this document or merely the original instructions for each set?) Indicates their support for these sets 5-7 years after their introduction. Nowadays, try to get a manual from a product's website that was introduced 5 years ago and discontinued 2 years ago.
The A-K document "Instructions for Atwater Kent Open Mounted Style Receiving Sets" (i.e. Breadboards such as the Model 5, Model 9s, Model 10s Model 12, etc.), reproduced below, states on Page 2 under "Required Equipment", that "Any standard horn type or magnetic cone type speaker may be used". The above instructions also recommend use of a 6V battery charger and "B" eliminator" if House Current" is available.
The problem is that these instructions were published in 1929, 5-6 years after introduction of the A-K breadboard radios. From my limited research, A-K did not make a magnetic cone speaker until the Model E, made from 1926 to 1929. Earlier magnetic cone speakers included the Timmons Talker (introduced 1924) and the RCA Model 100 (introduced 1925).
It is interesting that these instructions were published in 1929, 5-7 years after the introduction of the first Breadboards. (The Model 1 was introduced in 1922, The Model 5 and the original Model 10 Radiodyne were introduced in 1923, the Model 10 A, B and C and Model 12 were introduced in 1924.) I don't know how long these sets were made but the Model 20 was introduced in 1924, the 20 C (Compact) was introduced in 1925, the Single Tuning Dial" Models 30 in 1935, the metal cased Model 35 in 1926, the first AC A-K set, the Model 36 was introduced in 1927. The metal case Model 40, Model 44, etc. were introduced in 1928The much more sophisticated Model 55 was introduced in 1929. In other words, This manual was published 4 generations after the breadboard sets. The Model DE speaker was introduced in 1926, along with the Model 35 which had the '71A "power tube" audio output.
I don't know when A-K ceased manufacture or sale. (Did they have a backlog like RCA did on RA/DA, RC and other sets?) The fact that they introduced a manual for these sets in 1929 (Or were there earlier versions of this document or merely the original instructions for each set?) Indicates their support for these sets 5-7 years after their introduction. Nowadays, try to get a manual from a product's website that was introduced 5 years ago and discontinued 2 years ago.
"Do Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with your God"- Micah 6:8
"Let us begin to do good"- St. Francis
Best Regards,
MrFixr55
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