Artefact Observations

Technological Specifications

The technical specifications of the Baby Champ radio were quite similar to other table top radios during the 1940s. This radio is a single band AM (amplitude modulation) which was popular as the further developed FM (frequency modulation) radio only appeared in the 1960s (Mini-Circuits Life 2023). This radio contains five vacuum tubes and is based on the superheterodyne circuit type. This combination of technical specifications was common in the late 1940s to early 1950s with successful models such as the popular 1951 Viking 49-33 (Radio Museum, n.d.) and the 1951 Crosley D-25 11-120 (Radio Museum, n.d.) containing the same specifications. Tabletop radios that possessed more vacuum tubes brought better reception quality (National Park Service) such as the 1947 Globe-Trotter 66BX (Radio Museum, n.d.) which had six vacuum tubes. However, the Globe-Trotter radio was sold for approximately double of the price of the Baby Champ (Radio Museum, n.d.). Is important to note that although the Baby Champ may have been technologically outmatched by more expensive models, it was affordable and aesthetically pleasing, and ultimately satisfied most users’ needs. 

Click below to learn the how the technological advancements in the radio industry brought radios into homes!