Brown-burgundy ovoid form suggestive of kerchiefed head or kendo mask; horizontal slits for speaker on the front.

There are 2 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.

See more objects with the color darkslategrey grey darkslategrey darkgrey or see all the colors for this object.

Object Timeline

-0001	We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
1937	Work on this object began.
1938	Work on this object ended.
1991	We acquired this object. We exhibited this object.
2013	This was an Object of the Day.
2015	We photographed this object.
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.

Black rectangular housing, hinged at top center to open, clamshell-style, revealing a screen and keyboard.

GRiD Compass Laptop Computer Prototype, 1981
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.
14.2012.57

Blue rectangular case with long red horizontal handle on top; face with red and white horizontally striped grill on left, circular red and white station selection dial above two red circular control knobs on right; each control knob with molded decoration of five-pointed star.

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:

Two rectangular intercoms with off-white molded plastic front with vented grill and green or orange knob in bottom lefthand corner. Sides and backside of objects are constructed of clear Perspex, revealing the inner circuitry.

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

Molded red Bakelite housing with angled and contoured top having projecting, pierced circular speaker surmounting square station dial with long needle indictator in center, and white control buttons below.

547 Radio, 1940
molded bakelite, metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-79

Triangular clear glass top with curved edges on V-form dark wood base composed of two flat, abstract legs.

IN-50 Coffee Table, Designed 1944
polished plate-glass, stained birch.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-54-a/c

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.

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