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RCA! The Radio Corporation of America!

Now almost gone from everyday life, it is hard to imagine all the products and services offered by this one company. Once RCA touched all four corners of the globe. GVS has already sampled this wide reach. From art deco radios to spiffy transistor sets.

Every time I dipped into the past to search for the history of radio, RCA was there. But what else did they did do? How far did this company go? What is the real story of RCA? I wanted to find out. Fortunately, a fictional character appeared to help lead the way.

As the story goes, Rip Van Winkle, somehow managed to sleep for decades without dying, or even aging much. His tale was reimagined in a pamphlet published in 1939.

In “Rip Discovers Radio” Rip wakes from a long sleep and finds himself in 20th century New York City. He begins to explore every aspect of an interesting building and company called RCA. We’ll follow him along on his quest. Rip will do most of the talking, but I will inject little comments here and there. Let’s go!

The Battle of Manila Bay took place in 1898. After doing some quick math I figured that Rip had been asleep for 41 years. Quite a long nap. To continue—

The RCA building turns out to be 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the famous skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of Rockefeller center in downtown Manhattan.

Rip sure is nonchalant when taking a ride in a magic vehicle, but he’s more interested in the destination than the journey.

This complex was called “RCA Radio Central at Rocky Point.” Built in 1919, it was a transmission hub for over 50 years until it was rendered obsolete in 1978. Then satellites took over the bulk of communication traffic.

Next RIP’s guide takes him to NBC to give him a behind-the-scenes look at broadcasting during radio’s golden age.

I first learned about vacuum tubes when I was exploring a map of America on an RCA Radio Tour!

As for television, starting in the 80s video tape became the standard way to record shows. This lasted until the computer age, but what came before? What preserved programs from the dawn of television? Turns out it was something called a kinescope. Also, apparently, a RCA product.

Really? A guy who slept through the industrial revolution has no problem getting on an airplane which lifts him up into the sky, miles above the safe ground? He just steps on board? Either he’s super calm, or he dipped into the moonshine before he went to sleep 1898! Who knows? Let’s continue—

Remember Little Nipper? The spokes-dog for RCA Victor! He wasn’t specifically introduced to Rip, but now might be a good time to remind everyone how cute he is.

And don’t forget the Little Nipper Record Club. Lots of fantastic artists recorded songs and stories for children as well! Now, let’s catch up to Rip as he explores more aspects of RCA.

When RCA got its start as part of the Marconi Company, a big chunk of their business was communicating with ships at sea. As Rip was to discover, that work continued well into the 1930s and beyond.

Here’s something interesting. At one point RCA had their own school. They called it the RCA Institute. Men and women enrolled in classes to learn all about radio and television. Fascinating.

Speaking of the Iconoscope, here’s more information on this pioneering aspect of early television.

And here’s a list of all of the divisions that made up the Radio Corporation of America circa 1939.

Now it’s time for Rip to end his tour, but he did not leave RCA without commenting on the miracle of modern communications. During the intervening decades, we tend to forget how amazing this technology is and how totally different our lives would be without it. Rip sums this up eloquently.

Rip tipped his hat before continuing on his way, but we can thank him for this overview of one of the most powerful and influential companies of its time. We may have forgotten RCA, but the legacy of this organization touches us every day. Thanks Rip, for reminding us about RCA, and have a nice nap!

“Rip Discovers Radio.” Another wonderful piece of Glorious Vintage Stuff!