Evening star., 1928-12-23
THE year 1928 has been, a
fruitful one for the radio
industry Assisted nnOf-

INDUSTRY. Assisted cNOT-
l. mously by the stimulating
influence of the election, and the
growing popularity of the alterna-
ting current set, business in the
industry was of record propor-
tionS.
Engineering developments dur
ing the year also were significant,
the perfection of the A.. c. set and
1.-THE introduction of the electro
dynamic reproducer being the
outstanding achievements. An
other notable feature was the prog
ress made in audio amplification,
both in the set and in external
equipment.
The power tube was a potent
factor in making available greater
volume and better tone quality.
Undoubtedly these tubes will have
a beneficial influence upon 1929
receivers from the standpoint of
tonal improvement.
The amazing growth in the de-
mand for more artistic and ex-
penSive furniture in the last few
months is perhaps the best ex-
ample of the rapidity with which
new ideas in radio merchandiS-
ing become market trends and
write new chapters in the ro-
mantle progress Of the radio busi-
ness.
Great interest centers in the
laboratory right now, for there
9rn cnUoro1 fo0Ioy,iOo1 douA1nY1-
ments in the experimental stage
which have every promise of being
factors in the radio market place
in the near future. First, is the
automatic volume control. If the
signal is too strong, this control
reduces 1t to the proper volume.
II the signal is weak, it is afnpli-
fed to satisfactory audibility. Sets
using this control undoubtedly
will be placed on the market in
1929.
Second is the screen-grid tube
for alternating current. Labora-
tory difficulties have held this
tube back, but the kinks most
likely will be soon ironed out, just
as other difficulties in radios
progress have been hurdled.
Third, from the standpoint Of
laboratory developments comes
the multi-valve tube. It is widely
used abroad and known there as
the LoeWe tube. If this tube wins
acceptance in the United States,
small compact receivers can be
built for popular price market.
Three or four, multi-valve tubes,
it is claimed, can be made to pro-
duce the same results as six or
seven OF our present tubes.
While television excitement has
died down somewhat, public ap-
petite has been whetted and ex-
perimentation in this field may
consequently be expected to con-
tinue. Talking movies for home
use is another product of radio
laboratories which should not be
overlooked. It has already been
accomplished eXperimentally.
%"& &k X
So much for 1928 in retrospect.
What does 1929 hold in store for
radio?
The coming year, the authori-
ties agree, should bring to the in
duStry a period of fine achieve-
ment and prosperity. But the
radio listener, Is more vitally con-
cerned about the 1929 receiver.
viii the rapid developments in
radio make the 1928 set obsolete?
This seems to be the question
more generally asked by the fan
who invested heavily in the 1928
product.
Powell CroSley, jr., president of
a large Cincinnati radio corpora
ton, gives assurance there will be
no radical change in the conStruc-
tion or design of the 1929 receiver.
Radio" he says, has passed
through the development stage,
and the present day A. G. receiver
will remain standard for a long
time to come. The public now
buys with confidence, realizing
that the product of the national
manufacturers of high reputation
will not only be free from Servic-
ing difficulties, but one that gives
true reproduction of the programs
being broadcast. Such programs
today are of the highest possible
standard produced in the centers,
where the worlds great artists
can be found.
IT see no radical changes. but
continued success for those who
have. always tried to render the
best possible service to the great
est number of people. The A. C.
set combined with the power type
speaker. have made possible o
quality Of radio reception. not
even predicted as being possible.
The growth of Super-power sta
tions, with the tremendous invest
ment in broadcaSting facilities
which has taken place in 1928.
has created new confidence in
the quality Of broadcasting. The
buyer of a radio set now, more
than ever before, is assured of
r.