De Forest Audion Tube, circa 1908

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Artifact Overview

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 Details

Artifact

Vacuum Tube

Date Made

circa 1908

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.4.2288

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Copper (Metal)
Rubber (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 5 in
Diameter: 3 in

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