Life, 1926-09-23 · page 6 of 40
Life — September 23, 1926 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Thorola radio advertisement**, not a satirical political cartoon. The page header "From 'Consort' to Symphony—from Radio to Thorola Art" uses historical framing to position Thorola radios as the modern evolution of music technology. The medieval woodcut at top depicting an orchestra "from about the year 1000 A.D." serves as a visual joke: it creates a humorous contrast between ancient musical ensembles and modern radio receivers. The satire is gentle—suggesting that Thorola represents such a technological leap that it's like comparing orchestras across a millennium. The rest is straightforward product advertising for various Thorola speaker and radio models with prices ($12–$185), marketed to consumers as superior sound quality alternatives to competitors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life From ‘Consort’ to Symphony = n representation of an Orchestra dates fr The first crude orchestras were de- scribed as mere “consorts of flutes and viols”, Compare this with the limitless tone effects of the modern symphony orchestra. A great ad- ancementof course. Yetwe truly be- lieve you are bound to discover just such advancement in Thorola radio. Thorola clearly marks the end of those days when the scientific won- der of radio could excuse artistic compromise. The flawless reception of pure, unblemished music and distinct, natural speech is the greater wonder of Thorola instruments. Relentlessly all the old radio “dis- turbances” have been downed. As the pioneer American builders of long- distance acoustic apparatus we were ideally equipped for the task. We were able to originate Thorola Low- Loss Doughnut Coils making selectiv- ity positive—concentrating full power onthe wanted station only—andelim- inating internal interference and cir- cuit confusion, so that the remaining difficulties revealed themselves and could be methodically conquered. Wealso created Thorola Golden Tone transformers, balanced and sensitive to a degree never before considered commercially feasible. It was one more example of the attainments to be expected from an establishment which was one huge acoustics labora- tory long before radio began! And we already had the loud speakers whose brilliant clarity and fidelity, at any volume, admittedly improved all receiver performance. Yetallofourhighest technical achieve- ments—so far ahead scientifically— should not mean as much as your ear in selecting radio! Unless you go and hear 1927 Thorola models you run the risk of owning radio that is al- ready outdated. Whatever style you desire—console, cabinet, cone speaker, or horn speaker—the Thorola repre- sentative has it. He welcomes the most critical consideration. He will show you the first radio receivers with provable upkeep economy! REICHMANN COMPANY, Chicago, Member R.M.A. tern and Canadian s slightly higher) which cannot any previous power or hook MODEL S7 3, CABINET .. .- ‘60 Thorola radio at such a price ecems unblicvable. Antique, Highlight Walnut finish and charming proportions distin- guish this cabinet. It gives you the genuine Thorola S-tube circuit, whose many special features insure performance A receiver with two speakers—the Thorola Cone and the Thorola Horn type! Perfect re- production facilities for every radio impulse. Of course the S-tube Thorola Circuit brings them allin clearly, withits exclusive Dough- nut Coils, Golden Tone Transformers, Duo- Dial Control, Power Tube, and other great ad- vancements. Their advantages make it liter- ally impossible to judge Thorola receivers by the old formula of power-ratings. In fact. ‘Thorola developments mean more power,and $ MODEL 9, CONE SPEAKER 20 With its Dual Range diaphragm, 1 Thorola Cone Speaker is the first type to cover the entire range of repro. duction without compromise at eiiber high of the low end. Never has a sp ‘of this etyle had tone of this eharee Luxuriously finished in Walnut and Gold, with Carved Ornamentation, this speaker delights the cye as well as the ear: ¥ MODEL 4, HORN SPEAKER 25 The Controtied Mica Diaphraga, of thi Raketite Bell, emart Golden Throat Ba: and Classic Base adorn any room. $ THOROLA, JR. SPEAKER 12 Matchtess Thorola tone quality, and graceful appearance are obtainable ic horn speaker of more moder, Thorola Junior. It improv tion of any receiver in a way which is out of all proportion to the price. MODEL 59 DE LUXE CONSOLE Uttastraeay 185, MODEL #125 more operating economy as well! The cabinet, in Antique, Highlighted Wal- nut.is.a furniture masterpiece: comparingosly with the rich artistry of Thorola reception. Full Thorola performance and economy char- acteristics are offered at a moderate price is Model $8. The Console is of Antique Hish- lighted Walnut, as in the most lururious Thorola models. All the Thorola circuit and epcaker features assure unsurpassed radio. comicbooks.com