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Object Timeline

-0001

1937

  • Work on this object began.

1938

  • Work on this object ended.

1991

  • We acquired this object.

  • We exhibited this object.

2013

2015

2019

  • You found it!

Radio Nurse Intercom Speaker, 1937–38

This is a Intercom speaker. It was designed by Isamu Noguchi and manufactured by Zenith Radio Corporation. It is dated 1937–38 and we acquired it in 1991. Its medium is molded bakelite, metal. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This object was featured in our Object of the Day series in a post titled A Modernist Mother's Helper.

This object was donated by Mel Byars. It is credited Gift of Mel Byars.

  • Patriot Radio, 1940
  • cast phenolic resin (opalon), molded urea plastic, molded cellulose acetate,....
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2014-10-1

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

  • Lectron Intercoms, 1967
  • molded plastic, perspex, steel and electronic components.
  • Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.
  • 2017-51-20-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D (without cord): 19.8 x 17 x 16 cm (7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Radio Nurse Intercom Speaker, 1937–38; Designed by Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988); USA; molded bakelite, metal; H x W x D (without cord): 19.8 x 17 x 16 cm (7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.); Gift of Mel Byars; 1991-59-61

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.

The Conservation department has taken one photo of this object.

This object may be subject to Copyright or other restrictions.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18636979/ |title=Radio Nurse Intercom Speaker, 1937–38 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=18 April 2019 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>