Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter

This object is currently on display in room as part of The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource. There are 8 other images of this object. See our image rights statement.

See more objects with the tag streamlined, communication, ovoid, mask, curved, tool, smooth, sound, slit.

Object Timeline

1937	Work on this object began.
1938	Work on this object ended.
1970	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
1991	We acquired this object. We exhibited this object.
2013	This was an Object of the Day.
2015	We photographed this object.
2020	We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2022	You found it!

Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter

This is a radio transmitter. 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 bakelite (tm), metal, electronic components. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

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

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

GRiD Compass Laptop Computer Prototype
die-cast magnesium, injection-molded plastic.
Gift of Bill Moggridge.
2010-22-1

Radio Compass Loop Antenna Housing (USA)

Radio Compass Loop Antenna Housing (USA)
rag-filled bakelite, metal.
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 1977.0368.65.
14.2012.57

Patriot Radio
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:

A rocking stool made from a large round birch seat with a divet connected by 10 thick chrome plated steel rods to a smaller round birch bottom. The steel rods are drilled and connect the two wood pieces diagonally.

Model 86T Rocking Stool Stool, 1954
birch, chrome-plated steel.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2016-5-13

Model 547 Radio Radio
bakelite (tm), metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-79

This small radio is egg-like, white, with a smooth ovoid body. There is a small, curved, hill-like protrusion emerging from the surface near the top left of the radio. At the bottom center is a round, built-in speaker. On the upper right is a small window with station number indicator above and off to the side of the small protusion. Control dials on back are not visible in photo, and there is an antenna cord trailing from lower right.

Moosk Radio
plastic, metal.
Gift of Max Pine and Lois Mander.
2008-9-1

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.)

It has the following markings

On back, molded into plastic: Square "plaque" containing: [1] ZENITH (zigzag font logo) [2] RADIO / circle containing" SOS" and a baby's head / NURSE [3] DESIGN BY NOGUCHI [4] PATENT APPLIED FOR [5] 117 VOLTS-50/60 CYCLE-25 WATTS [6] ZENITH RADIO CORP., CHICAGO

Cite this object as

Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter; Designed by Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988); USA; bakelite (tm), metal, electronic components; 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.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2Dw8e/
Accession Number 1991-59-61
Object ID 18636979