Magnavox Historical Preservation Association

06/20/2024

The Association recently received an unusual donation of a WWII Veteran's diary. He worked in speaker assembly in Ft. Wayne and the book was given to him by Magnavox when he enlisted. The book is filled with his thoughts and experiences. He was in the D-Day invasion and landed on Utah Beach. The book was found in a used book store in California and donated to us. Efforts were made to track his family with no success. It is a meaningful piece of Magnavox history for our collection.

06/20/2024

The Association has changed its Face Book page to: Facebook.com/MagnavoxHPA/
We have become a 501(c-3) non-profit and we now have a Board member who will be doing postings. Our goal is to keep you better informed as to our activities, programs, and collections. Thank you for your on-going interest in our preservation and education activities.

MHPA is a 501(c)(3) with the mission of preserving the history of a great American company and to educate future generations about its people and products.

07/28/2023

Inside record player for unit previously shown. Trying to date units.

07/28/2023

Trying to date the unit shown. Seperate cabinet is speaker and record storage.

06/19/2018

The Association recently acquired a record player/radio unit. We would appreciate some help in identifying the date, name, etc. The radio antenna is hidden behind the lid cover and the cover includes the Magnavox Ft. Wayne Lion logo. The word Magnavox is embossed on the plastic tone arm. However, in the stored position the name is upside down. Interior detail looks very Art Deco; i.e. 1930's. Any thoughts??

12/08/2017

I forgot to note that the cost of the G&I Division book is $48.

12/08/2017

A book entitled, The Programs, Projects, and Achievements of the Magnavox Company's Governrnent and Industrial Electronics Division 1951 thru 1991 is available for pre-publication order. This 330 page 8.5x11 hard cover book describes the activities and people that made up the G&I Division in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Torrance, Calif., Urbana, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa., Washington, D.C., Whitley County, Ind., Auburn, Ind., and Loudon County, Va. The products include communication radio sets, eletronic warfare receivers and transmitters, radar equipment, sonobuoys, anti-submarine warfare equipment, command and control equipment, ordinance products, industrial electronic products, environmental monitoring systems and other products. The editors of this book are E. Daniel Aldred and David Peterson, Ph.D. Many former employees contributed to this book.
You can obtain an order form by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to George Collins, 50 Smokey View Dr., Greeneville, TN 37745

05/03/2017

As part of product diversification, Magnavox marketed Magnalux Adjustable Lamps. This 1924 flyer to dealers gives the details and pricing. Cuts were also available for dealer newspaper advertising. Note that Magnalux Auto Lights were also available.

05/01/2017

In 1923-1924, some in Magnavox management were not sure about the future of radio - perhaps it would be a passing fad. So the company diversified its product. This promotional flyer from November 1924 shows the Magnaray Heaters.

12/31/2016

On December 17, 1946, The Greeneville Sun published news that a "Radio Box Factory Employing 300 to be Located Here." This was the beginning of Magnavox in Greeneville - 70 years ago.

12/31/2016

The "Windows to the Past" project in Greeneville TN has put a painted mural on the side of the building that houses Brown's Appliance Store which was the local Magnavox dealer. The mural helps to recognize the history of Magnavox in Greeneville.

04/26/2016

The Association was asked to put up a small display in the lobby of Plant #1 in Greeneville by the current owners, GCS Partnership. They are really interested in the history of the building. The display is up and some folks are already dropping by to see photos, and remember. One series of photos are from 1952 and trace the building process from dry kiln to boxing up a unit. The first photo below is the current and front of the building which was added in 1954 with the distinctive four "parapet" columns. The other photo is the original front door at the current back of the building. The plant was established in 1946 with the first unit being produced in June of 1947. This bulding was the site of the first radio and tv chassis production lines south of the Mason-Dixon Line.