De Forest Audion Tube, 1910-1914

Summary

Dr. Lee De Forest was an inventor, engineer, and the self-styled "Father of Radio." In 1906, De Forest invented the Audion tube, allowing the detection and amplification of weak radio signals. As the first triode vacuum tube, the Audion revolutionized radio broadcasting--and made it more practical. By the late 1920s, vacuum tube radios were the widespread in people's homes.

Dr. Lee De Forest was an inventor, engineer, and the self-styled "Father of Radio." In 1906, De Forest invented the Audion tube, allowing the detection and amplification of weak radio signals. As the first triode vacuum tube, the Audion revolutionized radio broadcasting--and made it more practical. By the late 1920s, vacuum tube radios were the widespread in people's homes.

Artifact

Vacuum Tube

Date Made

1910-1914

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

89.0.932.347

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Copper alloy
Textile

Dimensions

Height: 3.75 in

Diameter: 1 in

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More