I'm working on a 1938 RCA Victor 97T2 with "Electric Tuning" and it got me to thinking of when the manufacturers offered push button tuning. Wikipedia states that Zenith gets the credit for the first push button radio in 1927. But I'm curious when push button tuning really caught on with the makers and the public.
Anyone know what year it was?

:I'm working on a 1938 RCA Victor 97T2 with "Electric Tuning" and it got me to thinking of when the manufacturers offered push button tuning. Wikipedia states that Zenith gets the credit for the first push button radio in 1927. But I'm curious when push button tuning really caught on with the makers and the public.
:Anyone know what year it was?
:From what I've read, maybe the mid 30's added expense& the common person did not understand the workings of it.

::I'm working on a 1938 RCA Victor 97T2 with "Electric Tuning" and it got me to thinking of when the manufacturers offered push button tuning. Wikipedia states that Zenith gets the credit for the first push button radio in 1927. But I'm curious when push button tuning really caught on with the makers and the public.
::Anyone know what year it was?
::From what I've read, maybe the mid 30's added expense& the common person did not understand the workings of it.
:
: I think that pushbutton tuning became a real necessity with automobile radios. Back when one had to keep their eyes on the road and shift gears and keep a good grip on the steering wheel. Then came the floor button search-tune. Automatic controls in cars meant a safer, easier drive.

:::I'm working on a 1938 RCA Victor 97T2 with "Electric Tuning" and it got me to thinking of when the manufacturers offered push button tuning. Wikipedia states that Zenith gets the credit for the first push button radio in 1927. But I'm curious when push button tuning really caught on with the makers and the public.
:::Anyone know what year it was?
:::From what I've read, maybe the mid 30's added expense& the common person did not understand the workings of it.
::
:: I think that pushbutton tuning became a real necessity with automobile radios. Back when one had to keep their eyes on the road and shift gears and keep a good grip on the steering wheel. Then came the floor button search-tune. Automatic controls in cars meant a safer, easier drive.
:
Walter,

You're saying the "push to push buttons" came first from auto radios....then people wanted to see the same convenience in their living rooms? That would certainly make sense, as necessity is then carried to luxury and ease of use.

I have the notion that motorized tuning (yet, with pushbuttons) came before conventional pushbutton tuning. Motorized tuners had movable electrical contacts corresponding to each station. What came to be popularly known as pushbutton tuners have adjustable detents, or stops, mechanically connected to the pushbuttons. Of course, modern pushbutton tuners are all electronic.

As usual, I stand to be corrected.
Doug

Hi Doug,

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Zenith's "Robot Dials" an example of "motorized tuning"? I have not yet worked on a Zenith with a Robot Dial, so I haven't seen the mechanisms up close.

As Zenith is credited with the first push button radio in 1927 and you say that motorized tuning was available before the more conventional push button tuners, did Zenith offer Motorized Tuning in the early to mid 1930's? If they did, then that too was one heck of an accomplishment!

:I have the notion that motorized tuning (yet, with pushbuttons) came before conventional pushbutton tuning. Motorized tuners had movable electrical contacts corresponding to each station. What came to be popularly known as pushbutton tuners have adjustable detents, or stops, mechanically connected to the pushbuttons. Of course, modern pushbutton tuners are all electronic.
:
:As usual, I stand to be corrected.
:Doug
: