![This radio’s got me destroying Shakespeare and questioning what might have been…
It seems these days I find myself becoming completely enamored with one vintage artifact at a time. This obsession is typically sparked by a random trip to the flea market or an online search where I come across something so lovely, so enticing, so well preserved and so damn nice to look at that I am amazed I haven’t spent my whole life searching it. Don’t get me wrong, I try to be as pragmatic a thrifter as possible, usually searching for all things I really need for my home - a set of mixing bowls, a clothing hamper, crates to hold records, etc. But lately, I find my search significantly narrowed based on the item I happen to be coveting at that point in time. And no, that’s not necessarily good news for my bank account. These items tend to be a more rare and more expensive than other antiques, which could not be more true for my current obsession - the Crosley Bakelite Dashboard Tube Radio. If you haven’t had a good chance to feast your eyes on the above photo, I suggest you do it now. Take as long as you need. You won’t be sorry.
Mmmm. Shiny. In all its mid-century glory.
I have pined for this radio since our eyes/dials first met whilst scouring eBay for a tube radio to put in my kitchen. I kid you not that my heart nearly skipped a beat. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it site! For I ne’er saw true bakelite till this night…
I have spent the past few weeks researching these radios that intrigue me so. Unfortunately, I have found only a few facts. The above model, likely named the “Coloradio,” began to appear in the early 1950s, was designed after car dashboard features (the very essence of its appeal if you ask me), and was sold in numerous colors. I also came across this very interesting tidbit of information: Powel Crosley’s development of the first car radio (1920s), which made radio technology portable, was thanks to his sister. She once shared with him that when on dates, she wished for the help of her favorite radio programs to get through those pesky awkward silences between her and her date. Soon after, Crosley invented the Roamio car radio, the first of many portable radio models to follow [via].
Wow. Just think how of different portable radio technology might have been if good ol’ Thelma Crosley wasn’t such an awkward date. Can you imagine what 1980’s street culture or John Cusack’s movie career would have been without the boombox!? Yikes.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls3orrYV2c1qzg5h7o1_1280.jpg)
This radio’s got me destroying Shakespeare and questioning what might have been…
It seems these days I find myself becoming completely enamored with one vintage artifact at a time. This obsession is typically sparked by a random trip to the flea market or an online search where I come across something so lovely, so enticing, so well preserved and so damn nice to look at that I am amazed I haven’t spent my whole life searching it. Don’t get me wrong, I try to be as pragmatic a thrifter as possible, usually searching for all things I really need for my home - a set of mixing bowls, a clothing hamper, crates to hold records, etc. But lately, I find my search significantly narrowed based on the item I happen to be coveting at that point in time. And no, that’s not necessarily good news for my bank account. These items tend to be a more rare and more expensive than other antiques, which could not be more true for my current obsession - the Crosley Bakelite Dashboard Tube Radio. If you haven’t had a good chance to feast your eyes on the above photo, I suggest you do it now. Take as long as you need. You won’t be sorry.
Mmmm. Shiny. In all its mid-century glory.
I have pined for this radio since our eyes/dials first met whilst scouring eBay for a tube radio to put in my kitchen. I kid you not that my heart nearly skipped a beat. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it site! For I ne’er saw true bakelite till this night…
I have spent the past few weeks researching these radios that intrigue me so. Unfortunately, I have found only a few facts. The above model, likely named the “Coloradio,” began to appear in the early 1950s, was designed after car dashboard features (the very essence of its appeal if you ask me), and was sold in numerous colors. I also came across this very interesting tidbit of information: Powel Crosley’s development of the first car radio (1920s), which made radio technology portable, was thanks to his sister. She once shared with him that when on dates, she wished for the help of her favorite radio programs to get through those pesky awkward silences between her and her date. Soon after, Crosley invented the Roamio car radio, the first of many portable radio models to follow [via].
Wow. Just think how of different portable radio technology might have been if good ol’ Thelma Crosley wasn’t such an awkward date. Can you imagine what 1980’s street culture or John Cusack’s movie career would have been without the boombox!? Yikes.
