Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company
1919 - 1936
The roots of this radio manufacturing company begin with Arthur Atwater Kent (1873-1949), who had studied at the Worcester Polytechnic without finishing. In 1895 he started his own business in the basement of his father's machine shop. Named the Kent Electric Manufacturing Company, it made electric motors and fans.
In 1902, Kent moved to Philadelphia, and set up his business as the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Works. His business expanded to making electrical parts for the automotive industry, including the very popular Uni-Sparker ignition system. Demand from World War I helped to propel the company. In 1919, the business was renamed the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company.
Atwater Kent moved into the radio business in the early 1920s. By 1922, the firm was offering the famous breadboard radios.
The company was the largest radio manufacturer from 1926 to 1929. Even though the private company had very stable finances, decreased demand and labor unrest following the depression convinced the founder to close the business in 1936.
In 1902, Kent moved to Philadelphia, and set up his business as the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Works. His business expanded to making electrical parts for the automotive industry, including the very popular Uni-Sparker ignition system. Demand from World War I helped to propel the company. In 1919, the business was renamed the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company.
Atwater Kent moved into the radio business in the early 1920s. By 1922, the firm was offering the famous breadboard radios.
The company was the largest radio manufacturer from 1926 to 1929. Even though the private company had very stable finances, decreased demand and labor unrest following the depression convinced the founder to close the business in 1936.
"History-A. Atwater Kent and the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company ," Philadelphia History Museum, http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/history (accessed 08/20/2014)
Excerpted from "A brief history of Arthur Atwater Kent and his Company," Atwater Kent Home Page, http://www.atwaterkent.info/akHistory.html (accessed 08/20/2014)