The front view of a pale yellow ziggurat and rectangular compression molded plastic radio of 1935, known as the Skyscraper radio. This art deco radio reflects an Egyptian stepped up architectural motif that leads to a narrowed and flattened roof where the speaker of the radio is housed with six slats and covered with a textured and woven fabric for improved sound effect. The front of the radio features a central panel of molded plaskon with a cascade of seven vertical striations alluding to a waterfall design. Four horizontal striations of molded plaskon emanate on either side of the central panel, close to the base, and on each of its sides sit a tuning knob of metal and white. The cascading central panel holds two important and decorative features of the radio. Toward the top is a glass enclosed rectangular metal framed insert with a depiction of two world globes complete with stars and squiggly lines as cloud formations in a dark outline. The name “Air King”, the Brooklyn based manufacturer of the radio is printed above. At the center and below the insert, there is a ziggurat metal plaque with four nail heads and four striations. Within this plaque is the radio dial, comprised of three concentric circles in glossy black with white edging. The outer rim shows four digit numbers, with tiny intervals of lines (frequency markers) in white for fine tuning, in the mid circle are two digit numbers with frequency markers and with the word megacycles, also in white. In the inner circle and displayed for ornament, is a white seated figure of Atlas holding up the world. Intersecting the Atlas figure is the main tuning needle (depicted as a airplane style needle) pointing to the numbers and tuning marks located at the circumference. Below his feet is printed the name, “Atlas”. All is enclosed behind a circle of glass. Attached at the metal base of the disk is the central tuning knob in metal and white.

See more objects with the tag industrial design, fluted, cityscape, urban, skyscraper, ziggurat, stepped.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
1935	Work on this object began.
2015	We photographed this object.
2017	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Skyscraper Radio, 1935

This is a radio. It is dated 1935. Its medium is compression-molded plaskon, metal, glass, woven textile. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This radio encapsulates both the technological innovation and economic hardship of the 1930s. In the midst of the Great Depression, Brooklyn-based firm Air-King turned to Van Doren and Rideout, members of the emergent industrial design profession, to create a product for a highly competitive market. Their design utilized compression-molded plastic, a cheaper and less labor-intensive alternative to traditional wooden housings. It was formally inspired by another of the era’s great icons: the skyscraper. Available in thirteen colors to satisfy any consumer, the Skyscraper’s stepped architectural shape and central panel depicting the globe evince the increasing roles of industrial progress and connectivity of the modern world.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

New World Radio Radio
catalin (thermosetting plastic), metal, textile materials.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2011-44-1

Drawing, Study for Maximum Mass Permitted by the 1916 New York Zoning Law, Stage 4

Drawing, Study for Maximum Mass Permitted by the 1916 New York Zoning Law,...
black crayon, stumped, pen and black ink, brush and black wash, varnish on....
Gift of Mrs. Hugh Ferriss.
1969-137-4

Textile, Big City
cotton.
Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
2007-5-2

Our curators have highlighted 5 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

Painting, Brooklyn Bridge
oil on canvas.
Lent by Yale University Art Gallery, Gift of Collection Société Anonyme,....
65.2016.9

Modern, architectural quadruple bud vase in a glossy, jade green ceramic and composed of four box shapes in varying heights and widths, attached together in an angular fashion. The art pottery piece features a narrow raised bud opening centered at the top of each box, similar to an inkwell. The geometric shape, sharp edges, and solid coloring are reflective of the Cubist style. The vase is set against an grey-black ombre background.

Object ID #907130113
ceramic.
Collection of Mark Bassett and George Cooper.
47.2016.3

Chair, Skyscraper
painted pine.
Collection of Jody and Dick Goisman.
44.2016.1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 29.8 × 22.5 × 19.1 cm (11 3/4 × 8 7/8 × 7 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Skyscraper Radio, 1935; compression-molded plaskon, metal, glass, woven textile; H x W x D: 29.8 × 22.5 × 19.1 cm (11 3/4 × 8 7/8 × 7 1/2 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2018-22-20

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/BKmDv/
Accession Number 2018-22-20
Object ID 404536631