Utility thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Utility

Receiver
1944 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A rectangular, vertical wooden cabinet; at the top of the loudspeaker aperture is covered with a rectangular section of coarse fabric. Fluted wooden upright on the right and left hand side; small rectangular plastic tuning scale beneath the loudspeaker and above two plastic controls knobs. On the base is attached a revolving circular disc to assist easy rotation of the receiver. Mains operated, medium waveband only.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Utility (popular title)
  • Industry (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Pinewood
Brief description
radio, mains operated; English, 1943-4
Physical description
A rectangular, vertical wooden cabinet; at the top of the loudspeaker aperture is covered with a rectangular section of coarse fabric. Fluted wooden upright on the right and left hand side; small rectangular plastic tuning scale beneath the loudspeaker and above two plastic controls knobs. On the base is attached a revolving circular disc to assist easy rotation of the receiver. Mains operated, medium waveband only.
Dimensions
  • Height: 35.5cm
  • Width: 30.4cm
  • Depth: 17.5cm
Style
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
Room 74, Twentieth Century Gallery label: CIVILIAN RECEIVER, KNOWN AS THE 'UTILITY' OR 'INDUSTRY' SET Designed by Dr. G.D. Reynolds (active 1940s), of Murphy Radio Ltd. Made by Murphy Radio Ltd., Welwyn Garden City (Chassis code U7), Great Britain, 1944 3 Valves; pinewood cabinet Circ.678-1975 This model was produced under Government directive by 42 different companies to counter shortage of domestic sets. An M.P. commented that 'whilst the components of the new Utility sets are very good and efficient, the outside appearance is cheap and nasty.'(01/01/1992)
Object history
Produced 1943-1944 through co-operative action within the industry and not bearing the name of any individual maker.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.678-1975

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Record createdJune 26, 2002
Record URL
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