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The Emerson model 400 Patriot was intro-
duced in the fall of 1940 and according to
the Emerson book "Small Radio", this nov-
elty set was styled by the well-known ind-
ustrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. With
war clouds thick over Europe and appear-
ing increasingly threatening to the home-
lands, this radio's theme struck a chord
with American radio buyers, who turned it
into a best seller. Commenting on this un-
expected success, Emerson stated "style,
timing and current affairs of people should
always be considered by radio engineers".
The Patriot, one of which was billed as
Emerson's four millionth set, was introduc-
ed during the company's 25th anniversary
celebrations*, amidst a heavy advertising
campaign promoting the occasion.
The Patriot came in three combinations of
red, white and blue, each initially priced at
$15. Model 400-1 used blue as the base
color, the 400-2 white and the 400-3, as
shown, red.
duced in the fall of 1940 and according to
the Emerson book "Small Radio", this nov-
elty set was styled by the well-known ind-
ustrial designer Norman Bel Geddes. With
war clouds thick over Europe and appear-
ing increasingly threatening to the home-
lands, this radio's theme struck a chord
with American radio buyers, who turned it
into a best seller. Commenting on this un-
expected success, Emerson stated "style,
timing and current affairs of people should
always be considered by radio engineers".
The Patriot, one of which was billed as
Emerson's four millionth set, was introduc-
ed during the company's 25th anniversary
celebrations*, amidst a heavy advertising
campaign promoting the occasion.
The Patriot came in three combinations of
red, white and blue, each initially priced at
$15. Model 400-1 used blue as the base
color, the 400-2 white and the 400-3, as
shown, red.
Emerson Model 400 (FC-400) Patriot Catalin Radio (1940)
..a fine radio that expresses in a dignified way the patriotic sentiments of the American home.
The Patriot is distinguished from the very
similar Emerson Aristocrat by its coloring
and by its use of patriotic "starred" knobs;
the Aristocrat uses bullet style knobs.
The set uses Emerson's type FC AC/DC
All-American-Five chassis, having tube
line-up 12SA7GT, 12SK7GT, 12SQ7GT,
50L6GT & 35Z5GT. The tuning range is
540 - 1600kc. Schematic.
similar Emerson Aristocrat by its coloring
and by its use of patriotic "starred" knobs;
the Aristocrat uses bullet style knobs.
The set uses Emerson's type FC AC/DC
All-American-Five chassis, having tube
line-up 12SA7GT, 12SK7GT, 12SQ7GT,
50L6GT & 35Z5GT. The tuning range is
540 - 1600kc. Schematic.
| "The PATRIOT - built by AMERICANS in AMERICA - for AMERICANS in the AMERICAN home. What greater gift of joy could you give your family, with its fine tone and TRUE AMERICAN colors - THE RED, WHITE and BLUE - its all AMERICAN" |
| Striking Monsanto cabinet Telescope carrying handle "Super Loop" built-in antenna Two Watts Beam Power output AC - DC Superheterodyne All American Broadcasts Big Electro Dynamic Speaker Automatic Volume Control "Eye Ease" Illuminated Dial |
A magnificent expression of the American Spirit. By Emerson.
| "Here is a dignified and truly noble American design... exquisitely moulded in Monsanto plastics. A great artist has given eloquent expression to the patriotic sentiments which forever stir the hearts of all Americans" |
extracts from Dec 1940 newspaper ads for the Patriot
*The Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation officially came into being in 1924 through
the combination of the Emerson Radio Corporation and the Emerson Phonograph Corporation.
The Emerson Phonograph Corporation however had been formed in May of 1915, and it is with
respect to this date that the Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation's 25th Anniversary was
celebrated in 1940.
Sources:
"Small Radio", Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation, Dec 1943
Belanger, B., "A History of Emerson", AWA Review, Vol 21, 2008, pp 165 - 190
"...extensive advertising campaign", Advertising News & Notes, NY Times, Sept 21st, 1940
"New Emerson Radio shown to Dealers", The Pittsburgh Press, Nov 12th 1940, pg 27
the combination of the Emerson Radio Corporation and the Emerson Phonograph Corporation.
The Emerson Phonograph Corporation however had been formed in May of 1915, and it is with
respect to this date that the Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation's 25th Anniversary was
celebrated in 1940.
Sources:
"Small Radio", Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation, Dec 1943
Belanger, B., "A History of Emerson", AWA Review, Vol 21, 2008, pp 165 - 190
"...extensive advertising campaign", Advertising News & Notes, NY Times, Sept 21st, 1940
"New Emerson Radio shown to Dealers", The Pittsburgh Press, Nov 12th 1940, pg 27
Emerson Radio & Phonograph Corporation, 111 Eighth Ave., New York City
| new "Patriot" radio created by Normal Bel Geddes for the Ermerson Radio Co., of New York City. The radio, a table model, employs plastic cabinetry and special chassis construction. In various combinations of red, white and blue it is in keeping with the trend in many industries today. The Emerson Patriot has been termed the radio industry's tribute to the American way and is being presented to the public in that spirit" Newspaper report - see Sources to the left |
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