The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

62 The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Allen-Hough Mfg. Co. Has Developed a Successful Business in Four Months H. Don Leopold, Vice-President of the Dearborn Advertising Agency, Tells How an Idea Four Months Old Has Blossomed — Present Portable Production More Than 700 a Day In these days of intense competition, giant consolidation, and the rush of living, the romance in new business created is often over To secure distribution for an unknown product is a "man-sized job," and particularly so if you do not propose to underbid the market. The first few calls upon jobbers were fruitless. At the end of the first fortnight the only receipts were in advice and suggestions. Then came the first glimmer of hope. A New York distributor was interested in securing a portable line for his exclusive use in the metropolitan area, and was finally persuaded that this new product would serve his purpose. One week later another jobber was added; and then two more. Even for this small production, the original manufacturing facilities were inadequate, and the Racine plant space was doubled. Commitments were made for the output of a manufac Don T. Allen looked. But the romance is there; and if one chooses to look, he sees much beyond the pyramiding of hard dollars. Just four months ago two enterprising young men, in Milwaukee, carefully made plans for the manufacture of portable phonographs. They had before them small but adequate capital, and behind them a store of experience built by three years' association with the industry. Most important — they had the will to build a business plus the ability to proceed logically in so doing. Arrangements were made for modest factory space in a small Racine box manufacturing plant. Negotiations were opened for supply of necessary materials, and after much experimenting first samples were designed and developed. UN I ■ TORTABHS Come in jwj «W hear the 'Difference Allen Portable Window Display for Dealers luring operation of similar nature in New York City. All of these moves were taken with just a few scattered orders on hand and almost entirely upon anticipation of what the future might hold. It takes grim determination and real courage to invest the savings of a lifetime upon this basis. Just four months ago, Model A Dealers ! Understand this — The Hyatt Utility receiver is not competing with your line of larger receivers. Your best prospects for Hyatts are those to whom you have sold larger sets. A Hyatt six will provide — bed-time stories for children in the nursery — a lecture for father in his study — genuine entertainment for those confined by illness in their bedrooms. Sell Hyatt on this basis to old customers and, when price or home conditions are a factor, sell Hyatts to new customers. however, such was the inception of the Allen Hough Mfg. Co., Milwaukee. To-day their production is in excess of 700 portable phonographs every twenty-four hours. Distribution extends from coast to coast and includes the largest portable jobbing outlet in the world. At the present rate the new company will enjoy a million-dollar volume in the first year of operation. In view of the low unit price of these musical instruments, ranging from $7 to $12 wholesale, the creation of this business in so short a time is truly remarkable. A mere idea, four months old, has blossomed into a profitable business. A new product has come to bring joy and entertainment to the public, and a consistent campaign to announce it has started in the Saturday Evening Post, The Talking Machine World and through displays in dealers' windows everywhere. Radio Industry Offers Aid in Aviation Development Radio Manufacturers' Association in Letter to Aeronautical Conference Offers Help in Bettering Radio Equipment for Airplanes The helping hand of one so-called infant industry, radio, was extended to another, the aviation industry, recently at the Aeronautical Conference at Washington called by Secretary of Commerce Hoover and conducted by William P. MacCracken, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics. The Radio Manufacturers Association, in a letter from President C. C. Colby, presented by Assistant Secretary MacCracken to the. Washington Aeronautical Conference, composed of the leaders of the aviation industry, offered the aid of the radio industry in developing better radio equipment for the aviation industry, commercial and military. A similar offer of the R. M. A. engineering, technical and other resources has been made to the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, which has headquarters in New York. At a preliminary conference of the aeronautical industry leaders, held in New York, President Colby, of the R. M. A. appointed George H. Kiley, vice-president of the Farrand Mfg. Co., Long Island City, as the R. M. A. representative. For the discussion of technical engineering questions, H. C. Leuteritz, of the Radio Corp. of America, a member of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce, also was appointed by President Colby for the Radio Manufacturers' Association. As practical measures for development of radio for aviation purposes, Federal Government authorities advised the R. M. A. that improvement of beam signals, short wave high frequency radio transmission, and development of fixed aerials for airplanes were among the immediate needs of the aviation industry. The appointment of contact committees between the R. M. A., representing the radio industry, and the aeronautical interests, for a thorough study of radio needs in areonautics, was another step suggested. Installation of experimental radio apparatus on airplanes by members of the R. M. A. is another suggestion made. The responsibility felt by the Radio Manufacturers Association to aid development of aeronautical radio also was expressed to the War Department, the Navy Department, and the Post Office Department and tenders of assistance were made. For the War Department, F. Trubee Davison, Assistant Secretary of War for Aeronautics, wrote President Colby of the R. M. A. that: "when any radio problems arise in the Air Corps, we shall certainly take advantage of your very kind offer and explain them to you and ask your assistance." 0KKWIIU STMfV CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Eldridge R. Johnson, former president of the Victor Talking Machine Co., was recently elected a life trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.