[ARC5] SCR-522 and other Lumpy Brit Radios.

Fri, 21 Jun 2002 12:29:26 -0500

Mike wrote:
> ...Historically, the ugly-duckling
> SCR-522 is an very important relic of WWII...

Very true, Mike, but it's still one ugly radio ;-).

British consumer radios of the 1930s, of which I have a few,
reflect this square styling.  Everything in and about them is 
large and "boxy" looking, almost primitive in appearance
if not in function.

Please don't misunderstand- The British contributions
to advancing the communications sciences were far beyond
any others of the period, so I know it's not a lack of
talent or ability; they built these radios with this
"Flintstone" look for some reason.  One person speculated
that Brit radios were built square and "boxy" because 
the British mind is orderly and logical (the Labor
Party notwithstanding), and this style allowed easy repair.

I don't know about that.  Take a look at, say, a
Lanc vs. a B-17.  One's a large flying box and the
other is curvy and graceful.  Both preformed their 
function with distinction.

Perhaps this is just indicative of American thinking
(form over function) vs. 
British thinking (function over form)?

73 Dave S.