The Leo Meyerson Radio Collection

ATTENTION!
This posting is only for those with historical interest in the Leo Meyerson Radio Collection.
THIS COLLECTION NO LONGER EXISTS.
Click here to read about the disposition of the Leo Meyerson Radio Collection.

The Leo Meyerson Radio Collection is kept at the Western Heritage Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. This collection traces the development of amateur radio from the Lee DeForest audion tube to the growth of World Radio as a major supplier of both commercial and amateur radio components.

This collection is a combination of Mr. Meyerson's collections and items donated by hundreds of dedicated individuals. It represents the beginning of a collection that will be incorporated into a major communications exhibit with Western Heritage Museum as the designated repository.

Leo Meyerson founded World Radio Laboratories in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1935. During the war years, the company manufactured quartz crystals for the armed forces, and as the result of high achievement in production, Meyerson's company was awarded the coveted Army/Navy E citation in 1943.

After the war, Meyerson formed WRL Electronics as a separate division to manufacture radio transmitters and accessories. In 1956, the company name was changed to Globe Electronics, and one of the first citizen's band radios entered the market.

Meyerson also formed World Radio Export Corporation and Galaxy Electronics. Galaxy was one of the first companies to introduce a single side band transceiver, the Galaxy 300. World Radio was sold in 1989 to HyGain.

Meyerson's interest in the preservation of radio history and material led him to donate much of his radio equipment to the museum and to solicit others for similar material. His efforts culminated in the amateur radio collection now being amassed at the museum in concert with interested individuals.

The Present

The museum has a collection of over 200 radios, including the 1906 Lee DeForest Vacuum Tube, Spark Transmitter, Crosley Pup, early transmitting tubes, Globe Scout, Galaxy Amateur and Commercial Single Side Band Transceivers, and many other articles of interest including early receivers such as Breting, Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, Howard, RME and National. Also included in the collection are over 1,700 items that have been placed in the museum's study collection for use by researchers. Over 5,000 receiving and transmitting tubes are also on hand.

The Future

Western Heritage Museum is working on a major communications exhibit that will be unique in concept. The exhibit will feature early radios and associated equipment including telegraph and telephone material from the Telephone Pioneers of America. The goal of this exhibit will be to have items that represent every manufacturer of radio equipment made in the United States. The exhibit will detail the history of the amateur radio, telegraph and telephone and their contributions to the American way of life.

The museum is seeking early radio items to be included in the "Through the Decades" exhibit. A working HAM station on both S.S.B. and A.M. is planned as well as other hands-on activities for the public to enjoy.

Individuals interested in donating material to the exhibit are asked to contact: Sara McFarland, Curator of Collections, Western Heritage Museum, 801 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108-3299. Phone (402) 444-5071.

DONORS

We thank the many individuals who have contributed to the Leo Meyerson Radio Collection. A plaque recognizing contributors will be displayed when the exhibit is completed.

Western Heritage Museum: A magnificent home for your equipment ... to be seen by thousands of visitors. The museum has 24-hour manned security and 14 active employees, including a full-time Curator of Collections. One visit will convince you that this is the future home for your collection or station. It's the only museum anywhere dedicating its radio exhibits to AMATEUR RADIO!

WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM
801 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68108-3299
(402) 444-5071
FAX (402) 444-5397

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