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Object Timeline
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1938 |
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1991 |
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Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter
This is a radio transmitter. It was designed by Isamu Noguchi and manufactured by Zenith Radio Corporation. It is dated 1937–38 and we acquired it in 1991. Its medium is bakelite (tm), metal, electronic components. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
"Radio Nurse" intercom transmitter
Designed by Isamu Noguchi, 1904 - 1988
Produced by Zenith Radio Corporation
Chicago, Illinois , 1937-1938
Bakelite, metal
Gift of Mel Byars, 1991-59-61
An interesting confluence of design, technology, and utility is embodied by the 'Radio Nurse' a two-part microphone and speaker system conceived as an aid for home or hospital. The idea for the product grew out of the need of E.F. McDonald, Jr., president of the Zenith Radio Corporation, to monitor the nursery of his young daughter. He draws on Zeniths new developments in radio transmitting and receiving capabilities and commissioned the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi to create a stylish housing for the product. The 'Nurse' component (shown here) was designed as a quasi-human modernist form that could pass as a stylish accent in a contemporary living room, while a plain rectangular 'Guardian Ear' unit could be placed discretely in the room to be monitored.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled A Modernist Mother's Helper.
This object was
donated by
Mel Byars.
It is credited Gift of Mel Byars.
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- Radio Compass Loop Antenna Housing (USA)
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- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 1977.0368.65.
- 14.2012.57
- Patriot Radio
- cast phenolic resin (opalon), molded urea plastic, molded cellulose acetate,....
- Gift of George R. Kravis II.
- 2014-10-1
Our curators have highlighted 5 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:
- Lectron Intercoms
- molded plastic, perspex, steel and electronic components.
- Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.
- 2017-51-20-a,b
- Model 547 Radio Radio
- bakelite (tm), metal.
- Gift of George R. Kravis II.
- 2018-22-79
- Model 86T Rocking Stool Stool
- birch, chrome-plated steel.
- Gift of George R. Kravis II.
- 2016-5-13
Its dimensions are
H x W x D (without cord): 19.8 x 17 x 16 cm (7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.)
It has the following markings
On back, molded into plastic: Square "plaque" containing: [1] ZENITH (zigzag font logo) [2] RADIO / circle containing" SOS" and a baby's head / NURSE [3] DESIGN BY NOGUCHI [4] PATENT APPLIED FOR [5] 117 VOLTS-50/60 CYCLE-25 WATTS [6] ZENITH RADIO CORP., CHICAGO
Cite this object as
Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter; Designed by Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988); Manufactured by Zenith Radio Corporation; USA; bakelite (tm), metal, electronic components; H x W x D (without cord): 19.8 x 17 x 16 cm (7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.); Gift of Mel Byars; 1991-59-61
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.
