During the mid-1930’s through the WWII years, spending money was very limited. The “Great Depression” crippled our country’s economy, so only the basics were what much of the population had to work with.
A radio added to a car or truck would have been so rare! It cost about a month’s wages for most hourly workers. Now enters American Ingenuity! A radio antenna manufacturing company thought of a way to sell more with a simple almost no cost addition to their product. Place a small red ball at the top of the antenna staff!
It wasn’t long before an observer (particularly car and truck enthusiasts) would notice an unusual red antenna ball in the parking lot or in slow moving traffic.
This was a real ego builder to the vehicle owner in hard times. It showed to those that cared, that this owner had a radio! He therefore, had extra income and was a more successful person.
NOTE:
If you have an interest, Jim Carter Truck Parts has recently introduced this red ball antenna as part # RA108. As early vehicles did not have a factory designed place to install a radio or an antenna, this unit is attached to the cowl (between the hood and the door) with its cable reaching where the radio is secured.
