Radio News, first published in 1919, evolved a great deal over the years.  It began as a magazine for hobbyists and experimenters.  Many articles discussed radio theory and servicing.  A number of features related exciting real-life tales involving radio, such as the cover story for this issue which concerned radio's role in an Antarctic rescue.

Another frequent topic was "The Future Of ..." an electronic device.  Such articles generally examined a particular device or class of devices with an eye towards their evolution.  The cover article for this issue reviewed existing electronic instruments, including the Theremin, the first such instrument.  Other instruments described included early electronic organs and an electrified piano.

The 1930s brought articles on the different systems being tested for television broadcasting and speculations on types of programs and the larger role that TV might play in American life.  Articles of the period were, in retrospect, far too optimistic about how quickly television would arrive in American homes.  An article in this issue discussed RCA's plans for rolling out television and estimated that the public could be buying TV sets by the end of 1936.

By the late 1930s Radio News included articles on radio programs and personalities.  Do you recognize the CBS Radio star on this cover?  Take a guess, and then check the answer and read the article about her here.

As a collector of antique test equipment I greatly appreciate this cover.  This master tube tester was used by Hytron to test samples from their production runs.  An article describing the tester was published a year earlier in the October, 1944 issue of Radio News.  The centerpiece is a General Radio Type 561 Vacuum Tube Bridge.  I own its ca. 1929 predecessor, the Type 361-B.