Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

paratus during the ten-year period prior to the war. Concurrent with the gi-owth and development of our international merchandising activities, it became increasingly apparent that we were in a position to handle efficiently allied products of other manufac- turers in addition to our own prod- ucts. Thus, in 1938 we undertook the sale of coin-operated phono- graphs in Canada, and the year following e.xtended this activity t(j other markets of the w^orld. In 1939. we began the export distri bution of a line of electrically oper- ated washing machines, ironers and vacuum cleaners for the home, and recently have made arrangements for the post-war export distribu- tion of electrical household refrig- erators. To foster the expansion of our international sales of radio com- munication apparatus, as well as of radio broadcast station equipment, it became necessary to design a line of special export products. Before World War II began, sufficient progress had been made in that endeavor so that RCA's line of ex- port transmitters found considei- able military application by the allied governments. This resulted in our securing important war or- ders direct from many of the allied governments prior to our entry into the war, and subsequently RCA re- ceived very substantial orders for the same products through Lend- Lease. As a consequence, standard RCA trademarked communication equipment in large quantities has played an important role in all the important theatres of war and has created many new friends through- out the world. I'KltrvlAN SUB-DEBS AND THEIR FRIENDS TUNE-IN A SOUTH AMERICAN BROADCAST ON AN RCA VICTOR TABLE MODEL RADIO RECEIVER. Sup])lementing the RCA line of radio communication apparatus, we have made arrangements to handle the export sale of complementary products so that post-war, we will he in a position to supply complete communication systems to solve even the most complex problems. The development of our motion pictui'e sound recording and repro- duction business abroad gave rise to problems, the solution of which again required the design of spe- cial products for export sale. Prog- ress was made through the develop- ment of the so-called "standard" line of theatre reproducing equip- ment, as well as of the portable sound-film recorder. In order to improve our commer- cial position in this field, and to meet the efforts of competition, we have made arrangements to handle and promote the sale of virtually a complete line of equipment re- quired by a motion picture exhibi- tor. This entry into the "Theatre .Supply" business in export will have the effect of more than dou- l>ling the potential future dollar volume of export sales of theatre «'<iuipm€nt to exhibitors. R(^A has always had an enviable reputation in the international HIGH OVER THE TURBANED HEADS OK NATIVES, THE RCA MONOGRAM SPELLS HUT ITS MESSAGE OF GOOD RADIO IN A FRENCH MOROCCO TOWN. market for the quality of its elec- tron tubes, especially because of the ability of RCA tubes to perform satisfactorily even undei- the ex- tremely rigorous conditions so fre- (piently imposed on electron tubes in export service. It was largely due to this fact that RCA was able to obtain and hold a preeminent position wherever American radio tubes are exported. Because of the renown of its tubes, RCA quickly became, at the outset of World War II, the preferred American supplier to the allied governments, with whom it was RCA's privilege to work out many of the technical military problems in electronics. At the present time, RCA Victor has wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, ICngland and Australia, and has a controlling interest in subsidiaries in Chile and India, as well as a minority interest in two companies in enemy-held territory in China. lU^A also has a minority interest ill a second company in Australia, and through R.C.A. Communica- tions, Inc., has wholly owned com- munication companies in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Haiti; also, mi- nority interests in communication companies in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. RCA's international business has grown steadily throughout the years. Our company has established an excellent foundation upon which our international future can be built with confidence. [RADJO AGE 411