What 1928 has Written into the Record

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 30, 8 February 1929, Page 2

What 1928 has Written into the Record

rr. | puis year, 1928, has been 2 very fruitful one, says "Radio Retail- — ing," America. As the past twélve — months are recalled there stands out clearly a number of stabilising influences that the year has contributed. Several definite indicators of the future have also become apparent. To begin with 1928 has broken all records in the number of sets sold to the public. A record volume of sales has been acomplished since January, assisted enormously by the stimulating influence of the election. Electrically operated sets also contributed to this prosperity, because of their intense popularity. This popularity of electric sets has accelerated the progress of both simplification and stabilisation and has led to lower prices, This trend holds promise of still lower prices next year. Engineering developments have been most significant in 1928. In addition to the perfection of A.C. sets, the outstanding feature of the year was the electro-dynamie reproducer. After a slow start early in the spring, dynamics assumed large importance at the trade show and have since. dominated the market. Increasing interest in the perfection of audio amplification, both in the set and in external equipment, was also notable in 1928. ‘The power valve has -been a potent factor in making available greater volume and better tone quality: in this year’s receivers. Undoubtedly these. valves will have a beneficial influence upon 1929 receivers from the standpoint .of tonal improvement. Higher voltage is also clearly indicated for the coming year. Present power valves require high voltage. New developments in reproducers. may also make increasingly higher voltages necessary. With this condition confronting the trade, manufacturers. may well give thought to protecting the setowner from high-voltage shocks. Again,. great interest centres in the laboratory right now. For there are several technical developments to-day in the laboratory stage which have every promise of being potent factors in the radio market place in the very near future.

Future Developments. First, is automatic volume control an important improvement which will automatically regulate the intensity of all signals received? If the signal is too strong, this control reduces it to the proper volume. If the signal is weak, it is amplified to satisfactory audibility. Sets: using this control will undoubtedly feature in the 1929 market. , , Second, is the screen-grid valve for alternating current? Laboratory difficulties have held this valve back. But we can expect that these kinks will be ironed out, just as other "insurmountable" difficulties in radio’s progress have been hurdled. The AO. sereen-grid receiver, then, is another development which may be expected — for next season. Then, third, comes the multi-valve tube. It is widely used abroad, and known there as the "Loewe valve." If this valve wins acceptance here, small compact receivers can be built for a popular price market. For three or

four mujlti-valve tubes’ can be made to produce the sane results as six or seven of our present valves. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that recéivérs using this valve will appear On the market in 1920. What of Television? AND no record of what is now on the horizon for 1929. would he complete without mention of three. other significant laboratory estat ments-television, the reproducer, and talking movies for. home use. While the television excite-' mént has now died down somewhat, public appetite has been whetted and experimentation in television may consequently be expected to continue. It will assume a larger place as time goes on. The "electric-static" speaker, which has been popular in Hurope for some time, is now being taken up by American manufacturers. It is simple and inexpensive, and will therefore fill an important place if merchandised in this country. / Talkiig movies for home use is another product of radio laboratories which: should not be overlooked. It has already been accomplished experimentally. It will be accomplished commerdially in the course of time, The radio. trade should prepare itself to be the natural outlet for this equity ment when it is réady for sale to

public. \ ; The Al. these new and, prospective developments have their immediate commercial influence. Hach will add impulse to stimulation and ¢éxpansion of the market. The amazing growth of the demand for: more and more artistic and expensive radio furniture in the past few nionths is perhaps the most spectacular example of the rapidity with which new ideas in radio meréhandise inimediately become market trends and write néw chapters in the romantic progress of the radio business, It has been so in 1928. It will be so in 1929. | And if the new developments that lie ahead are wisely directed; the coming year should bring to the radio industry a season of fine achievement and splendid prosperity. : a.