09-22-2006, 10:06 AM
Drew - where did you hear that Bel Geddes signed a five year contract with Philco? I don't have John Okolowicz' fine article on Bel Geddes from the March 1996 Antique Radio Classified in front of me, but I don't recall his mentioning that. I could be wrong, though - after all, that article was published ten years ago...
I would otherwise concur with what Chuck said. The Depression, lagging sales...Philco hired Clyde Shuler to redesign their cathedral models, and all of their 1932-33 cathedrals look identical as a result. Ed Combs continued to design many of their consoles. I think the Bel Geddes connection was a marketing ploy for the 1931 season that did not work as well as intended, again, for the reasons Chuck mentioned.
I would otherwise concur with what Chuck said. The Depression, lagging sales...Philco hired Clyde Shuler to redesign their cathedral models, and all of their 1932-33 cathedrals look identical as a result. Ed Combs continued to design many of their consoles. I think the Bel Geddes connection was a marketing ploy for the 1931 season that did not work as well as intended, again, for the reasons Chuck mentioned.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
