The Golliwog and the Wireless -1949

[pete9012S]

Read the story here:

https://imgur.com/a/hNXKqAT

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I found a lovely picture of an early use of radio - to teach children Opera - but I'm not sure of the date.

It's 5min 30 secs in my video Good Golly - the toy that fought fascism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBoQ0hyytXg

The golly is the only toy held by any of the children and is placed in the centre of the family assemblage. He is depicted as a very important toy who is paying as much attention to the broadcast as any of the humans.

Thanks Pete - I'll enjoy reading the story again tomorrow!

Viv

[Moonraker]

Read the story here:

Wonderful story. How I loved those huge valve sets.

[Lenoir]

That was a good story for a moonlit night, such as this. I remember our old valve set. When my parents got a newer set because it had become worse for wear, it was retired to my bedroom and I was able to tinker with it and put in a new tuner cable so I could listen to it again. I remember the turntable could play 16rpm records, but I've never seen one of those.

[Moonraker]

Me neither. I imagine your wireless was a radiogram as it had a turntable.

Some info

[Boatbuilder]

I remember the turntable could play 16rpm records, but I've never seen one of those.

I remember back in the late 1950's/early 1960's one of my friends showed me some records his father had that were 16rpm's. One of them was a commentary of the Coronation of one of the British Kings. I thought it was King George V, but it may well have been King George VI as I doubt they existed in the 1910's, unless it was pressed some years later from some other recording. What I do remember though, was the record was in immaculate condition as my friend said he wasn't supposed to play it, but he did. In fact, as his mother and father weren't there at the time, I would think he wasn't even suppose to touch them.

[Lucky Star]

Excellent story. I remember such a wireless in my grandmothers house but as far as I recall it no longer worked.

[pete9012S]

Yes, I agree John. I thought it was a good story.

[Lenoir]

I remember back in the late 1950's/early 1960's one of my friends showed me some records his father had that were 16rpm's.

That's interesting. They are probably collector's items.
And to be pedantic, I see they actually played at 16 and 2/3 rpm, exactly half the speed of the LPs which played at 33 1/3 to be precise!
I have plenty of LPs and some singles but don't have a record player that works properly at the moment. I've got used to CDs.

[Boatbuilder]

I think they could well have been classed as collectors items back then, Lenoir. Yes, I was aware they were 16 and 2/3 rpm speeds. I don't have a player these days that plays that speed - only 45 & 33 1/3. I had a sterogram bought for me for my 21st (1968) and I'm not sure now if that played the slower speed, as it's now sadly long gone to the electronics 'graveyard in the sky'.

[Lucky Star]

My first record player was a Dansette model which had been my mother's. I believe she first bought it in the late 1950s. I am certain it haad four speeds; 16,33,45 and 78. I only ever had LPs and 45rpm singles to play on it though.

[pete9012S]

Just getting back to the wireless, does anyone remember the very first radio they owned?
My Nan bought me a smashing one.

I do remember listening to Radio Luxemburg under the bed covers at night.

Curiously twiddling my little nob all those years ago, I discovered new and strange music/foreign language stations that made my formative years a most exciting time.

[Boatbuilder]

My first radio was bought for me for my 13th birthday by my elder sister and was a 'McMichael 7-transistor', that had a soft casing which was a pale blue in colour.

Like Pete, I used to listen to Radio Luxembourg under the covers in bed, especially the Top 20 at 11-pm on a Sunday night, presented by Australian Barry Alldis, who I remember used to introduce himself as 'This is your DJ BA'. Here is a picture I took of it back in 1964 - along with my goldfish who was called Timmy named after - yes, you guessed it....!

[Splodj]

In 1964 I was listening on the family valve radio to the pirate stations that had started. Pop music all day and no fading!

Back with Blyton, the only FFO reference to radio that springs to mind is in Pantomime Cat when two suspects are given an alibi by listening to radio programmes at the time of the crime.

I notice that with Blyton the news isn't heard on the radio but read in newspapers, which seem to be impressively quick. In Pantomime Cat the newspaper at breakfast provides a comprehensive account of the previous night's crime. Sometimes I feel there is too much reliance on newspaper reports. In Tally Ho they drive the plot development for most of the book, which is why I don't rate it as highly as some on here.

Television makes an oblique appearance in Holly Lane when Fatty visits the window cleaner and notices a TV aerial on the roof with the observation: 'Evidently window cleaning was quite a well-paid occupation.'

[pete9012S]

Most interesting Splodj.

In 1960's ADVENTURE OF THE STRANGE RUBY we read:
Eighteen
A visitor to the temple

They were certainly camping out—but not quite as they had planned! It
seemed rather strange to be so cut off from the world, and from newspapers
and the radio.
‘Why, someone might have landed on the moon, and we wouldn’t know
a thing about it!’ complained David.
‘Good thing too, if we didn’t,’ said Tessa at once. ‘All the same—I’d
like to know if Mummy’s back again or not. I’m beginning to miss her.’