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

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.
2021	You found it!

Radio Nurse Transmitter Radio Transmitter, 1937–38

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.

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), ca. 1940

Radio Compass Loop Antenna Housing (USA), ca. 1940
rag-filled bakelite, metal.
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 1977.0368.65.
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:

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.

Model 547 Radio Radio, 1940
bakelite (tm), metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-79

Slightly concave circular wooden seat supported by a series of steel rods set at angles into circular wooden foot.

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

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

Model IN-50 Coffee Table Coffee Table, 1944
glass, 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.)

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, 1937–38; 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