Ethan Clarke
Radios started having plastic housing in the 1930s. Bakelite, the first plastic used for radio cases, was introduced in 1933. It was either brown or black, sometimes with a marbleized look, and was used by brands such as Air King and Kadette. In 1936, Sears introduced a plastic radio under its radio trade name Silvertone, which became an instant hit. By 1937, Catalin, a new plastic that could be white, beige, red, or a few other colours, was used for radio cases. In the years leading up to 1940, many new compounds were created and introduced to the radio industry, including Tenite, polystyrene, and nylon. By the 1950s, new materials were used to create better and cheaper radios.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year plastic radios were introduced | 1932 |
| First plastic used for radio cases | Bakelite |
| Year Bakelite was introduced | 1933 |
| Colors of Bakelite | Brown, black, yellow, red, blue, green |
| Alternative name for Bakelite | Catalin |
| Year Catalin was introduced | 1937 |
| Colors of Catalin | White, beige, red |
| Radios that used Catalin | Fada |
| Issues with Catalin | Shrinking, cracking, discoloration |
| Alternative plastic introduced in 1933 | Beetle |
| Characteristics of Beetle | Similar to Catalin, but more stable |
| Colors of Beetle | Pastels, swirled marbling effect |
| Radios that used Beetle | Kadette |
| Issues with Beetle | Prone to stress lines, separation in swirls |
| Plastic commonly used for radio cabinets in the 1930s and 1940s | Plaskon |
| Characteristics of Plaskon | Urea-molded, white and light pastel colors |
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What You'll Learn
- Bakelite: the first moulded plastic used for radios in 1933
- Catalin: a popular plastic used in radios from 1933
- Beetle: a moulded plastic similar to Catalin, used in radios from 1933
- Injection moulding: a cheaper manufacturing process used for plastics from the 1940s
- Pre-war plastic radios: highly sought-after by collectors
Bakelite: the first moulded plastic used for radios in 1933
Bakelite, the world's first synthetic plastic, was introduced as the first moulded plastic used for radio cases in 1933. It was initially developed in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland and patented on December 7, 1909. The creation of Bakelite marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry.
Bakelite was a thermosetting phenol-formaldehyde resin formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. It was one of the first plastic-like materials introduced to the world and was popular due to its mouldability and ability to harden into any shape. Its electrical non-conductivity and heat-resistant properties made it a commercial success, and it found applications in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings, kitchenware, jewellery, pipe stems, children's toys, and firearms.
In the early 1930s, Bakelite was used for various products, including game pieces, kitchenware, and skis. By 1935, it was used in solid-body electric guitars, and during World War II, it was utilised in wartime equipment such as pilots' goggles and field telephones.
One limitation of Bakelite for 1930s radio designers was its dark colour, as it was typically brown or black, sometimes with a marbleized look. Customers desired more colour options, which led to the introduction of Catalin, a new plastic that could be produced in white, beige, red, and other colours. Catalin gained popularity, and chemists began experimenting with urea-based compounds to create new plastics with improved characteristics.
Today, vintage Bakelite radios are sought-after collectibles, with well-preserved examples selling for hundreds to thousands of dollars. The retro appeal of Bakelite products has made them desirable items for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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Catalin: a popular plastic used in radios from 1933
In the early 20th century, Bakelite was the first type of plastic used for radio cases. Introduced in 1933, it was either brown or black, sometimes with a marbleized look. However, customers wanted more colour options, which led to the development of Catalin, a new type of plastic that could be moulded into various colours, including white, beige, red, and other shades.
Catalin, also known as a phenolic resin, gained popularity due to its ability to produce radios in a wide range of colours and designs. It was used by famous radio brands such as Fada, and its unique characteristics, such as dramatic marbling and varying degrees of translucency, made it highly desirable. The Fada Model 845XA, for example, sold for $1,000 at a Palm Beach Modern auction.
However, Catalin radios were not without their issues. Ultraviolet light exposure could turn the phenolic resin surface into phenyl alcohol, adding a yellowish-brown hue to the outer layer. Additionally, Catalin was prone to shrinkage, which often led to cracks in the radio cabinets and glass dials. Despite these challenges, Catalin radios remain sought-after collector's items today, with well-preserved examples commanding high prices.
The introduction of Catalin marked a significant step forward in the radio industry, offering consumers a range of colourful and aesthetically pleasing options. It also spurred further innovation in plastics manufacturing, with companies tweaking formulas and creating new brands, such as Durez and Insurok, which are still labelled as "Bakelite" by radio collectors today.
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Beetle: a moulded plastic similar to Catalin, used in radios from 1933
The quest for colourful radios in the 1930s led to the introduction of Beetle plastic, a moulded material similar to Catalin. Beetle, a direct descendant of urea, was initially developed for the tableware industry in the late 1920s. It was manufactured using various compounds as fillers and dyes, resulting in a range of pastel colours and a swirled, marbled effect.
Beetle plastic was first used in radios around 1933, marking a shift from the standard black-brown Bakelite radios that dominated the market. The new plastic offered a wider range of colours and a more stable alternative to Catalin, which was prone to shrinking and cracking over time. The Kadette brand was the first to introduce Beetle plastic in their radios, and its appearance was similar to Catalin, with the added benefit of improved durability.
However, Beetle radios faced challenges due to the lower temperatures used to set the compound, which resulted in frequent stress lines. The plastic was also susceptible to separation over time, caused by constant low heat from sources like tubes, sunshine, or lamps. Despite these issues, Beetle radios represented a step towards more colourful and aesthetically pleasing designs.
In the years leading up to 1940, various compounds were introduced to the radio industry, including Tenite, polystyrene, and nylon. These experimental materials, however, could not compete with the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of injection-moulded plastics, which became the preferred choice for radio manufacturing.
Today, vintage plastic radios from the 1930s to the 1950s are sought-after collector's items. Well-preserved radios in working condition can sell for prices ranging from $440 to $1,000, depending on their brand, model, and overall condition.
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Injection moulding: a cheaper manufacturing process used for plastics from the 1940s
Injection moulding is a manufacturing process that involves injecting melted plastic through a heated and pressurised nozzle into a durable, temperature-controlled metal mould. Once the plastic cools, the mould opens, the plastic part is ejected, and the mould closes to repeat the process. This process is ideal for producing high volumes of identical parts at a low cost.
The history of plastic injection moulding began in 1868 when inventor John W. Hyatt patented the process of creating celluloid, which was originally intended to replace the ivory used in billiard balls. In 1872, Hyatt and his brother Isaiah patented the first injection moulding machine, which used a simple plunger mechanism to push celluloid through a heated cylinder into a mould. This invention led to the development of a booming manufacturing industry that produced buttons, combs, collar stays, and other items from celluloid.
In the years leading up to 1940, the plastic industry was on the brink of adopting a new manufacturing process: injection moulding. This process became the preferred choice for the industry due to its lower costs and the ability to produce large quantities. During World War II, there was a high demand for inexpensive, mass-produced products, which further propelled the adoption of injection moulding. In 1946, American inventor James Watson Hendry built the first screw injection machine, revolutionising the precision and quality of injection-moulded parts. This machine allowed for better control over the production process and enabled the mixing of materials before injection, facilitating the use of coloured or recycled plastic.
Injection moulding played a crucial role in the radio industry, which was one of the early adopters of plastic housing. Initially, radios used Bakelite, the first moulded plastic introduced in 1933, but it was limited to black or brown colours. Catalin, introduced in 1937, offered white or beige colours, but both Bakelite and Catalin radios were prone to shrinking and cracking over time. Beetle plastic, which emerged around 1933, provided improved stability and allowed for various colours and a marbling effect. However, it also faced similar issues with stress lines due to incomplete vulcanisation. The development of injection moulding, along with advancements in polymer properties, enabled the creation of better and cheaper radios by the 1950s, utilising new materials that offered improved strength and reduced weight.
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Pre-war plastic radios: highly sought-after by collectors
Pre-war plastic radios are highly sought-after by collectors today. In the vintage radio collecting community, the Fada name is well known, with many of its designs becoming era icons. The Fada Bullet, for instance, is considered the "holy grail" of radios by serious collectors, with some selling for as much as $6,000 at auction.
The appeal of these radios is easy to understand. Firstly, they have eye-catching colourful plastics, unique cabinet designs, and models that featured push-button tuning. Secondly, they represent a time when radio was emerging from the Great Depression as a source of cheer for Americans. Finally, they are a piece of history that collectors can bring back to life, preserving them from landfills.
The "Classic Plastic" era of the 1930s and 1940s saw the introduction of Bakelite, the first moulded plastic used for radio cases. However, customers wanted more colour, which led to the development of Catalin, a new plastic that could be moulded into white or beige cases, as well as red and a few other colours. The famous Fada radio used this plastic, but no one realised that the colours would fade. Today, these vintage radios in good working condition can sell for $440 to $1,000.
In the years leading up to 1940, many new compounds were created, with several introduced into the radio industry. However, the war interrupted these innovations, and the plastic industry turned to a new process: injection moulding. This method was cheaper, but the pre-war plastics that survived the war were now too expensive to make.
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Frequently asked questions
Radios started having plastic housing in the early 1930s.
The first type of plastic used for radio housing was Bakelite, which was introduced in 1933.
Bakelite was either brown or black, sometimes with a marbleized look, and customers wanted more colour options. Additionally, it was a very brittle plastic, meaning that dropping a radio could easily crack or break the case.
Coloured plastics were introduced in the mid-1930s. Catalin, a new plastic that could be white, beige, red, or a few other colours, was introduced in 1937.
In addition to Bakelite and Catalin, other popular types of plastic used for radio housing in the 1930s and 1940s included Plaskon, Beetle, and Tenite.
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