The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

80 The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Intelligent Selling Will Be Rewarded— (Continued from page 79) liiat for the stabilization of the market and ihe salvation of the business it is time that Die radio manufacturers agree to systematize the introduction of new developments, for unless they do the market will be continually upset and buying retarded, which will mean a repetition of the present deplorable condition of the radio market. Magnavox Co., Oakland, CaL By F. B. Travers, Vice-President and General Manager. After being closely allied with the radio industry since its beginning, it is safe to predict that although the last few years have been very unstable and chaotic, 1928 has every indication of being the industry's healthiest. The manufacturers of radio who have survived have done well to weather the errors of overproduction and inventory liquidation, as well is being able to adjust themselves to a very complicated patent situation. Inventories of general commodities are at a lower point than for some time, there is a decided demand for quality merchandise and the buying public is fast learning to discriminate in the selection of standard brands sold on a basis of quality and sound value. It will behoove every manufacturer and dealer to watch collections with extreme caution from now on and by so doing assist greatly in profitable turnover. Radio Manufacturers' Association, Inc. By H. H. Frost, First Vice-President. The year 1927 has seen some remarkable developments in the progress of radio. The work of the Federal Radio Commission in clearing the channels and bringing about better reception to millions of listeners is something which will continue to be of great value to the economical and social life of the people of the United States. Many improvements in design and construction have been incorporated during the past year in radio receiving sets, the outstanding development being the designing of sets for operation from the house wiring system through the use of the new A. C. tubes. Radio in 1928 will be classed as a public utility in the mind of the public. The new year will see greater use of radio in the educational field and the agricultural field, and the development of radio for industrial purposes. Reception conditions will permit the selection of the desired program and the type of programs furnished will not only be of the highest order and arrangement, but will also PHONOGRAPH MOTORS WIDE variety of Motors made by Hermann Thorens, Ste. Croix, Switzerland, Manufacturer of Europe's most celebrated phonograph motor. High quality — reasonably priced. In different capacities, playing up to 10 records. THORENS, Inc. Sole Distributors for U. S. A. 450 Fourth Ave. New York City include diversified forms of entertainment, education and information. Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight will be the greatest radio year from every standpoint. The successful radio set manufacturer will build for special purpose markets. Market analysis will be the backbone of the radio business in 1928. There are now four distinct markets for radio receiving sets, which may be classed as follows: 1. HO volt, 60 cycle current supply 2. 110 volt, D. C. current supply 3. "Odd" frequencies current supply 4. Unwired market. Each of the four markets requires special analysis in order to determine the proper kind of merchandise and the sales possibilities. Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight will be the first year of specialized radio sets. Philadelphia Victor Distributors, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. By Louis Buehn, President. It is always interesting to speculate on the probable future trend of business, and while it is almost impossible to accurately forecast what is going to happen over a period of twelve months hence, I feel quite certain that we in the Victor business can look forward to the year 1928 with a feeling of equanimity, being secure in the certainty of doing a volume that should exceed the figures for 1927, which have been extremely satisfactory. It is needless to go into the detailed reasons for our opinion, but anyone familiar with our line, realizing the wonderful development of Victor products, both instruments and records, cannot help but know that this increase in business is certain. Lyon & Healy, Inc., Chicago. By W. P. Roche, Retail Manager. We are closing a very successful year in radio and combination business, and it is my candid opinion that 1928 will show a greater increase in sales than has the past year. My opinion is based upon the enormous demand for electric socket sets, through the wide field which has not been touched, as well as the wonderful possibilities on trade-ins of the old dry and wet battery sets. We feel that in the larger cities the demand for combinations should increase from 50 per cent to 75 per cent owing to the compactness of the two instruments combined as one. Radio Manufacturers' Association, Inc. By Bond P. Geddes, Executive Vice-President. Fundamentals which made 1927 a recordbreaking radio year insure, as the new year opens, a stable future for this lusty young giant of American industry. The American public has enthusiastically adopted radio as a distinct part of its daily life, and outstanding, in reviewing the radio year of 1927, is the stability accorded to the radio industry by the public. From the manufacturing standpoint the outstanding achievements of 1927 radio history were the improvements in quality and also in appearance of radio products. Parallel with the improvements in the radio products by the manufacturer was that in broadcasting by the more than 700 American broadcasters. For 1928 the present experiments in short Talking Machine Springs and Repair Parts NONE BETTER IN QUALITY NONE LOWER IN PRICE The Rene Manufacturing Co. Montvale, New Jersey wave, beam transmission, television, transoceanic telephony and other achievements of I lie wonder-workers in the laboratories of radio tax the imagination of those seeking to envision the future of radio. For the Radio Manufacturers' Association the national reception to Lindbergh, speeches of President Coolidge, the Dempsey-Tunney fight, the baseball World Series, football events, and other national broadcasting feats over recordbreaking chain hook-ups were as important events as for the National Association of Broadcasters. These greatly stimulated the public interest in radio. Also the Radio World's Fair in the Madison Square Garden and the Chicago Coliseum Show, together with the R.M.A. Trade Show, were other important 1927 events. Engineering Division, Radio Manufacturers' Association, Inc. By H. B. Richmond, Director. Radio has arrived at the position in the arts where its progress must naturally be gradual, rather than sudden and spectacular. It is this very stability of the art that makes it difficult, when we are still so close to 1927, to review the outstanding technical features. However, there are some items that have already proven their value so well that they stand out noticeably. Particular attention should be called to the fact that developments have not been of an individual nature. They are the result of accomplishments of large groups working on common problems, and also the joint activities of large bodies, such as technical societies and trade associations. One association that has been given us this year by act of Congress is the Federal Radio Commission. While not strictly an engineering body, many of the problems before the Commission are of a strictly engineering nature, and must be handled as such. The principal problem that the Commission met was that of heterodyne interference between broadcast stations. The forcing by the Commission of stations to adhere to their assigned wave lengths has stimulated the art in broadcast station development. A rapidly developing art naturally becomes involved in patent difficulties. A tremendous advance during 1927 can be registered in the clearing up of these patent difficulties. Nineteen hundred and twenty-seven will go down as the year in which alternating current tubes were generally introduced. Practically all of the new designs for receiving sets call for the use of these tubes. It means that the purchaser of a set need only plug it into his light socket, and thereafter give no thought to batteries or battery substitutes. This advance should not be taken to mean that all other sets have become useless and obsolete. Another source of confusion that has been brought to an end in 1927 is the standardization situation. Nineteen hundred and twenty-seven has developed a decided keynote of stability for the radio art. With such an accomplishment to start from, how can the outlook for 1928 be anything but bright? We will not look for startling discoveries and announcements during the coming year. We have every reason, however, to assure ourselves that the stability and progress so well started in 1927 will make rapid advances during 1928. Splitdorf Radio Corp., Newark, N. J. By Hal P. Shearer, General Manager. The most important battle yet waged in radio will be fought in 1928, in my opinion. It will be the real fight for sales supremacy within the industry under new conditions. This intensive COTTON FLOCKS Air floated, all injurious foreign matter eliminated for Record and Radio Manufacturing 238 South Street Newark, N.J. THE PECKHAM MFG. CO.