Remco “Electronic Radio Station” in original box: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A plastic radio transceiver in a cardboard box. Made by Radio Industries Inc., Newark, NJ. (Remco) as a toy and Morse code practice set. Toys and project kits have been used to teach the basics of electrical science and technology since the late 18th century. They reflect the state of the art at the time they are made, and give evidence of areas perceived to be at the forefront of knowledge. Many toys and practice keys were designed to teach basic radio technology, especially Morse code. Prior to the 1920s, most radio communication took place via code rather than voice, and learning how to send and receive code was required to obtain a radio license until the early 21st century.

This object was designed to introduce children (specifically boys, as seen on the box) to wireless communications. Three modes of signaling are provided: voice via microphones, wireless telegraphy using either a clicker or a buzzer, and optical via a small incandescent light. The visual design of the unit, featuring a modernist control panel and faux radio antennas reflects the post-WWII / early Cold War fascination with electronic technologies such as seen in the military and (in only a few years) the space sectors. Unlike earlier wireless teaching toys, this unit makes use of plastic. Such a complex design would not be economically practical for mass production if made from wood or metal. The design on the box shows a clear gender bias, not unusual for toys of this type in the era. The box is cut so as to be useful to a retailer as a point-of-sale display.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1954
• Object Name: educational toy
• Object Name: radio transceiver
• Measurements: unit: 12 in x 10 in x 3 in; 30.48 cm x 25.4 cm x 7.62 cm
• Measurements: box: 13 1/2 in x 14 in x 3 1/2 in; 34.29 cm x 35.56 cm x 8.89 cm
• ID Number: 2023.0180.03
• accession number: 2023.0180
• catalog number: 2023.0180.03
• Credit Line: Harold D. Wallace, Jr.
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.