Admiral

History

In 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, Ross Siragusa founded Continental Radio and Television Corporation (CRTC), which produced consumer electronics such as radios and phonographs. The radios were designed and produced by Radio Products Corporation (RPC), owned by Irwin J Mendels. During World War II, the US wanted to supply Lend Lease to England and the government would not

buy from a sales company (CRTC). So, CRTC and RPC consolidated. They considered a wartime name like General, and instead went with another high rank name, Admiral Corporation.

Throughout the war, Admiral grew and won the Army-Navy "E" Award for Excellence in production.

With annual sales totaling $2 million, Admiral's products ranged from electronic equipment used by the U.S. military in World War II to consumer televisions. In 1950, Admiral was selling: a line of seven TV sets, with four models having a 12.5 in (32 cm) tube size, at prices between $179.95 and $379.95 (equivalent to $2,408 to $5,352 today); a 16 in (41 cm) model retailing at $299.95 ($3,187); and two 19 in (48 cm) models (priced at $495 and $695, equivalent to $6,624 and $9,300). During this era, their success in television sales allowed them to diversify into other major appliances, including refrigerators.

During World War II, Admiral was the weekly sponsor of the CBS Radio Network Sunday news program, with it and World News Today utilising the promotional slogan "America's Smart Set." Admiral was also one of the first major advertisers on television, sponsoring Sid Caesar’s Admiral Broadway Revue, Lights Out, Fulton J. Sheen's Life Is Worth Living, Admiral Presents the Five Star Review - Welcome Aboard and Notre Dame football games. Annual sales hit $300 million and the company employed approximately 8,500 people by the early 1960s.