Fleron "Sentinel" radio lightning arrester
date: label: date made
content: ca 1927
name: label: maker
content: M. M. Fleron & Son, Inc.
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Ceramic base with two brass lugs, original tag. Molded on top: "Aerial / Fleron Radio / Sentinel / Lightning Arrester / Ground"; on back: "Underwriters / Approval E-7191 / Nu-Blac / 17". M. M. Fleron & Son, Inc., Trenton, NJ. Lightning protection is crucial for radios since antennas can unintentionally serve as lightning rods. A surge of electricity from a lightning strike can kill operators and destroy expensive equipment. Several varieties of lightning arresters were developed in the early 20th century to protect radio operators and equipment. This unit was advertised as waterproof and “Approved by Underwriters,” though it is not clear if they were referring to the modern UL organization. The 1927 retail price was $1.00 (about $18 in 2023). This arrester contrasts with lightning protection devices designed for electric grids and power systems, and is in the direct lineage of devices pioneered by Benjamin Franklin in the mid 18th century. This unit was made byf M. M. Fleron & Son, Inc. of Trenton, NJ, a company founded in 1922 that manufactured a variety of radio products.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Electricity
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2023.0177.07
label: accession number
content: 2023.0177
label: catalog number
content: 2023.0177.07
objectType: label: Object Name
content: lightning arrester
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 3 1/2 in x 2 1/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 8.89 cm x 5.715 cm x 3.81 cm