First Portable Superheterodyne Radio Receiver, Made by Edwin Howard Armstrong, 1923

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Artifact Overview

Edwin H. Armstrong was a pioneer of radio engineering, credited as the inventor of FM radio. In 1918 he filed a patent for the superheterodyne radio circuit. This technology increased the sensitivity and selectivity of radio receivers. The radio depicted is the first portable superheterodyne radio receiver ever made. Armstrong gave it to his wife, Marion, on their 1923 honeymoon.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Radio receiver

Date Made

1923

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

67.52.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Marion Armstrong.

Material

Bakelite (TM)
Batting
Glass (Material)
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Textile fabrics
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Height: 16 in
Width: 7.5 in
Length: 25.5 in
Diameter: 12 in (horn)