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History of the manufacturer  

Chambers F.B., Co.; Philadelphia, PA

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Name: Chambers F.B., Co.; Philadelphia, PA    (USA)  
Abbreviation: chambers
Products: Model types
Summary:

F. B. Chambers & Company
217 North Ninth Street (April 1913, Popular Electricity magazine advertisement page 53)
2046 Arch Street    (January 1914, Modern Electrics and Mechanics magazine page 94)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

According to their catalog, Chambers began making wireless equipment in 1905. The Chambers company, according to an article by Ludwell Sibley in the August 1997 issue of Radio Age, was probably the first commercial maker of wireless equipment in Philadelphia. 

Also, see The AWA Review #32,  2019, pages 71-98, by William V. Goodwin, III for fuller details of the company's evolution from the early 1900s until 1947. The article is entitled, "F.B. Chambers & Co., Evolution of Philadephia's First Radio Manufacturer." 

Production: 1905 -
History:

Frank B. and Hester Chambers began operating their radio equipment manufacturing company in Philadelphia circa 1904. Radio history publications have covered some of the company’s story, and this paper provides additional insights into the company’s evolution, its locations in the city, and Hester’s contributions to the company’s development and success. Contemporary newspaper accounts reveal details of the couple’s courtship and early lives, and genealogical research further illustrates aspects of their families’ histories. Frank & Hester developed their wireless business in their first home—an apartment—and went on to open a multi-room factory adjacent to their next home. Although F. B. Chambers was most often cited as the driving force of the company, Hester was deeply involved in manufacturing, testing, and demonstrating or operating company products, which included components, receivers, and transmitters. They operated a radio store from the 1920s until Frank’s death in 1947. The devoted couple’s story is integral to their business development.

Year

Address

Source

1905

217 North 9th Street

Phiadephia City Directory, p. 454

1910

217 ½ North 9thStreet

1910 U.S. Census

1913

217 North 9th Street

City Directory, p. 297

Modern Electrics,Vol. V, No. 11, Feb. 1913

1914

2046 Arch Street

Modern Electrics and Mechanics, Vol 28 No 1, Jan 1914, Pg. 94 & 1657 in Bus. Dir.

1926

61st & Market Street

Music Trade Review,July 3, p. 10

1928

6046 Market Street

 

Radio Amateur Callbook or U.S. Station License

1928

6100 Market Street

Amateur Radio Stations of the United States, June 30, p.319

1930

6100/6102 Market Street

1930 U.S. Census

1935

6102 Market Street

1940 U.S. Census

1940

   “          “          “

1940 U.S. Census

1947

   “          “          “

Frank’s Death Certificate Jan. 3

This manufacturer was suggested by John Koster.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
USA  13 Wireless Standard Time Set .084 Audion_dbw  Two versions known: 1 with crystal and 1 with spherical audion. The set came with a unique... 
USA  16 New Undamped Wave Coupler No.749   "...tunes up to 15,000 meters". 
USA  16 Loose Coupled Receiving Transformer No. 748   F. B. Chambers Loose Coupled Receiving Transformer No. 748 
USA  15 Chambers Coupler No. 744 (Loose Coupler)   The F. B. Chambers & Company advertised the new No. 744 Chambers Coupler in the December 1... 
USA  15 Chambers Rotary Spark Gap   The F.B. Chambers & Company Chamber Rotary Spark Gap was available with either a mahogany ... 
USA  13 Oscillation Transformer No. 914   F. B. Chambers Oscillation Transformer No. 914 for use on 2 inch coils 1/2 to 1 K.W. 
USA  13 Oscillation Transformer No. 912   F. B. Chambers Oscillation Transformer No. 912 for use on 2 inch coils up to 1/2 K.W. 
USA  16 Receiving Set H. R. 020   A Standard Receiving Set.  
USA  16 Extra Large Loose Coupler No. 747   F. B. Chambers Extra Large Loose Coupler Receiving Transformer. No. 747 Range up to... 
USA  12–15 Spark Coil    
USA  12–16 Antenna Send/Receive Switch   F. B. Chambers marble base antenna send/receive switch 
USA  17 Loose Coupler [unknown model.]   Chambers loose coupler with unusual slides. Similar in size to the Chambers No. 748 loose ... 

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

April 1913, Popular Electricity magazine advertisement page 53tbn_usa_chambers_april_1913_popular_elect_page_53.jpg
January 1914, Modern Electrics and Mechanics page 94tbn_usa_chambers_jan._1914_modern_electrics_page_94.jpg

  

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