History of Crosley Radio

In 1920, Powel Crosley founded the company that pioneered radio broadcasting and mass market manufacturing around the world. Dismayed with the $130 price tag for the radio receiver he promised to buy for his son’s birthday, Crosley decided to make his own. Upon successfully building a working set for only $35, Crosley was quick to spot the mass market potential.

It was a simple idea - design a fully functioning radio, meticulously craft each unit with obsessive detail and precise accuracy, and of course add a measure of consideration for the wallet.

This simple idea lead Crosley Radio to become the world’s largest radio manufacturer while Powel Crosley became known as ‘The Henry Ford of Radio.’ His relentless fascination with mechanical devices, coupled with his intense desire to become a millionaire, sent Crosley’s career soaring.

He’s most well-know for the production of mass market radios, and the creation of WLW – ‘The Nation’s Station’ and the 500,000 watt tower he constructed that transmitted FDR’s Fireside Chats - incidentally, whose signals were reported to have been heard as far away as Australia! By the mid 1900’s he presided over a star-studded radio empire that featured such stars such as Rosemary Clooney, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, and more.

A true industrialist, Crosley also became known for a multitude of ventures. He was infamous for The Crosley – a miniature-sized automobile, fashioned after the lightweight European cars. The chubby-profiled vehicle promised 50 gallons to the tank and was sold in department stores for just $325. Crosley’s lifelong obsession with automobiles began at a young age when Crosley, just twelve, won a bet with his father by successfully powering a four-wheeled wagon with an electric battery and motor.

Having dubbed himself the man of ‘50 jobs in 50 years,’ he continued to amaze the masses with such creations as: The Shelvador – a refrigeration unit that introduced the new concept of door shelving units, The Musicone – an instrument used to amplify the entire range of the human voice, The Moonbeam – Crosley’s self-designed airplane, The Roamio – the first car radio, The Icy-Ball – a chemical-mechanical ice box that served rural areas lacking electricity, The Reado – a facsimile system that transmitted words and pictures via radio waves, The Koolrest – a bed cooling system, The X-er-vac – a machine that stimulated the scalp in an effort to counter baldness, and The Go-bi-bi – a go-kart/stroller type contraption for young children just to name a few.

However, Crosley’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. As a Cincinnati native, he decided to step in when the Cincinnati Reds declared bankruptcy. Crosley acquired the team ensuring they would remain an integral part of Cincinnati’s culture. In 1930 he went on the build Crosley Field which triumphed until 1970 as the infamous Cincinnati Reds’ playing field. Crosley was credited with producing the first night baseball game, transforming Crosley Field from night to day with the flick of a switch powering 615 lamps. He went on in subsequent years to broadcast the first live baseball game on WLW-TV – the Crosley television broadcasting division.

Today the Crosley name lives on with superbly detailed replicas that truly transcend time. Reintroductions of original vintage radios and turntables feature the newest technologies graced by unforgettable Crosley stylings. The Crosley Collection includes AM/FM radios, multi-functional audio cassette/compact disc players, portable suitcase-styled record players and turntables, jukeboxes, music boxes, telephones and more. Rich lines, retro designs and authentic crafting have made Crosley today’s premier vintage radio manufacturer. True to the Crosley tradition, these replicas are as fabulous as they are functional, providing a delightful dose of nostalgia.

Press Contacts:
Elizabeth Braun
Crosley Radio
PR Director
Liz@crosleyradio.com
(502) 736-8303

Whitney Wright
Crosley Radio
PR Assistant
Whitney@crosleyradio.com
(502) 736-8311

Note to Editor: For additional information, to receive high resolution images, or to order photography samples, please contact the Crosley PR hotline at (502) 736-8303.