When comparing the capabilities of the human senses, it is fair to say that our eyesight discerns minute differences in luminance and color with greater precision than our sense of hearing allows in detecting variations in the loudness and pitch of sound. It is this distinction along with RCA’s marketing savvy, that spawned the successful introduction of the tuning-eye innovation in consumer radio products in the mid-1930’s. Even though the number and variety of sets equipped with tuning-eyes slowed to a trickle by the 1950’s, this feature has regained a measure of its former attraction, as collectable radios with tuning eyes command a modest premium today.

This is an edited and updated copy of an article published as a two-part series in the February and May 1998 issues of the SCARS Gazette (the official publication of the Southern California Antique Radio Society). The article covers a number of subjects directly related to the tuning eye feature as used by US consumer radio manufacturers. Links to the general topic areas are listed in the banner (top) frame.

This article was written to be useful to both technical and non-technical collectors alike. It is based on research, over 30 years of personal experience in "vintage" electronics, and interviews with others whom I consider subject matter experts. The graphics associated with this article have been limited to those relevant to the specific subjects covered: Photos of the many types of consumer radios equipped with tuning eyes are not included as these are available from many other sources on the Internet. Links to non-commercial Internet sites with tuning-eye content can be found in the "Reference" section.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at: philbert@pacbell.net

Philip Rheinschild, Jr.

N6YZW

All pages © 1998, 2000, 2002 by Philip A. Rheinschild, Jr.