Museum Artifact: 8 Issues of DownBeat Magazine, 1964-1968
Made By: Maher Printing Co. / Maher Publications, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
Audio & Music
Ludwig Drum Company, est. 1909
Museum Artifact: Ludwig Universal Speed Master Bass Drum Pedal, 1960s
Made By: Ludwig Drum Co., 1728 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL
The night that famously marked a sea change in American pop culture—the Beatles’ 1964 performance on the Ed Sullivan Show—was also the dawning of a new golden age at a certain musical instrument factory in Wicker Park.
Before that night,
Rock-Ola MFG Corp., est. 1927
Museum Artifact: Rock-Ola Hi-Fidelity 120 Wall Box, 1953
Made By: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corp., 800 North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL
It’s one of the quintessential brand names of American pop culture. Rock-Ola—a word that celebrates and encapsulates both the rock n’ roll explosion of the jukebox’s 1950s golden age and the historic roots of the classic “Victrola” talking machines.
Lyon & Healy, est. 1864
Museum Artifact: “Improved Own Make” Cornet, c. 1919
Made By: Lyon & Healy, 4100 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
Chess Producing Corp., est. 1947
Museum Artifact: Chicago Cubs “Pennant Fever” 7-inch Record, 1969
Made By: Chess Producing Corp., 320 E. 21st Street, Chicago, IL
Long before the Chicago Bears awkwardly rapped their way to a certified gold record with “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” the precedent for a singing sports team had already been set—albeit with substantially less commercial and cultural impact—by the baby bears over at Clark and Addison.
General Television & Radio Corp., est. 1932
Museum Artifact: General Tube Radio 19A5, c. 1947
Made By: General Television & Radio Corp., 2701 N. Lehmann Ct., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
National Washboard Company, est. 1903
Museum Artifact: The Universal No. 134 Washboard, c. 1920s
Made By: National Washboard Co., 72 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL
Long before “upcycling” and “repurposing” became part of the antiquing lexicon, it was the washboard that practically invented re-invention—evolving from a contrivance of laborious laundering practices into a peppy and versatile musical instrument.
The artifact in our own museum collection,
Motorola Inc., est. 1928
Museum Artifact: Motorola Volumatic AM Car Radio, 1956
Made By: Motorola Inc. / Galvin MFG Corp., 4545 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
Portable Tube Radio Model 5P31A by Motorola Inc., 1957
Motorola Inc. / Galvin MFG Corp., 4545 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
Archived Reader Comments:
“This radio is a Motorola Roto-tenna portable radio, Corsair model 5P31A, circa 1957. The case is metal, covered in Grey Tweed Miracle Fabric; with maroon plastic trim. The rotating handle, an exclusive Motorola design,
Regal Musical Instrument Co., est. 1908
Museum Artifact: Regal Soprano Ukulele, c. 1940s
Made By: Regal Musical Instrument Company, 3209 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.
The Cable Piano Company, est. 1880
Museum Artifact: “One Hundred and One Best Songs” Songbooks, 1910s
Made By: Cable Piano Company, 57 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL
Research is underway on this one and a full write-up will be coming soon.