Name: | Midwest Radio Co., The, (Miraco); Cincinnati, OH (USA) |
Brand: | Miraco |
Abbreviation: | midwest |
Products: | Model types Brand |
Summary: |
The Midwest Radio Company Midwest Radio Corporation Midwest Radio & Television Corporation Trade names Midwest, Miraco. Export to Switzerland. |
Founded: | 1920 |
Closed: | 1957 |
Production: | 1920 - 1957 |
History: |
Starting in 1920, A.G. Hoffman began building simple battery operated radios in his basement in Cincinnati Ohio and branded them 'MIRACO', a shortened form of the name of his new company, Midwest Radio Company. By 1924 advertisements identified the business as Midwest Radio Corporation and the bulk of his sales were by mail order. New catalogs were printed every year, showing the current offerings. AC operated radios were first offered in the 1928 catalog. 1932 featured an 11 tube radio with optional 4 tube shortwave converter, and in 1933 they offered a 16 tube 5-band chassis that could be purchased along with a selection of different cabinet styles. 1934 introduced several new art-deco cabinet styles unlike anything offered by other companies. A limited number of special radios were made in 1935, 36, and 37, the 18 tube 1935 Midwest Imperial, the 24 tube 1936 Midwest Royale, and the 22 tube 1937 Midwest Regal. These were still chiefly sold through mail order. The catalogs offered a range of chassis sizes and large tube-count chassis could be purchased at a very low cost compared to the competitors. The buyer could put these chassis into a cabinet they already had, or could buy one of the Midwest cabinets designed to fit that chassis. Midwest is known for large numbers of tubes used in their radio chassis at a time where the tube count was a selling point. The average consumer, having little knowledge of radio's inner workings, had seized on this idea as a handy measurement of a radio's worth. Some manufacturers added tubes that were unneeded or useless, but every tube on a Midwest chassis had a function. Midwest's designers might use four or six audio tubes where two would work, but the additional tubes are why the large Midwest chassis have exceptionally good sound. Most mid-1930's Midwest models featured large tuning dials, sometimes framed with fancy chrome metalwork. Midwest's cabinets are usually large, with interesting multi-veneer designs, sometimes with "futuristic" or art-deco styles, especially during the later 1930s. But in fact, cabinetry was where Midwest accomplished most of their money-saving measures. The cabinets look marvelous, but on closer inspection, one notices the thin wood used in the construction. Also, instead of using more expensive screws, glue and nails were used to build the boxes. Midwest skimped a bit on finish as well, using less lacquer than many other manufacturers. Even so, the cabinets had a look that few companies could match. For a short time during the 1920s tubes were made for the company with the brand name Miraco. After World War II, Midwest continued to produce radios, but with scaled-down chassis and cabinet designs. They even ventured into television production beginning in 1949. The company struggled during the early 1950s and finally went bankrupt in 1957. The company name, service department, and parts inventory were sold to Thomas Talley, of Cincinnati, who supplied parts until around 1970 when the remaining stock was hauled to the dump. |
Country | Year | Name | 1st Tube | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
USA | 33 | AC9 [late] | 35 | |
USA | 35 | Chassis 18-36 | 6K7 | Used in console models AA-18, BB-18, DD-18. This is a chassis! Bunis/Slusser erroneouly no... |
USA | 33 | Chassis 12-33 | 58 | 4 bands: BC, Police, 2xSW. 2 Edyn speakers. Choice of cabinets. |
USA | 22 | Miraco Vacuum Tube Radio Receiver | UV200 | The Miraco Receiver is designed for radiophone reception from 150 to 600 meters. Matching ... |
USA | 23 | 1 tube [(32$)] | One dial (primary tuning control knob) . No details available. | |
USA | 34 | Chassis 10-35 | 58 | used in console model F-10(1935). |
USA | 34 | Chassis 10-34 | 58 | Used in console model F-10(1934). |
USA | 36 | 10-37 AC-DC | 6K7 | |
USA | 37 | Chassis 10-38ACDC | 6A8 | Also with Long wave band |
USA | 33/34 | 10A-33-34 | 58 | Midwest 10A-33/34 is a rather early superhet with RF-stage and several short wave bands an... |
USA | 31 | 11tubeSH 11-31 Chassis | 35 | Choice of cabinets. |
USA | 35 | Chassis 11-36 | 6K7 | Used in console models L-11, MM-11. |
Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):
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