[MrFixr55]

In modern times, we marvel that these radios were available so cheaply, but we must remember that the 80 Jr's $14.95 price was 2-3 (or more) days wages of a worker in 1933. Add to that the fact that many rural areas lacked power. Upstate NY did have the Niagra hydroelectric power plants. Touring them is on my bucket list. Although I am a New Yorker, I am totally on the other side of the state (Long Island) and a full 400 miles away.

Radio was the "internet" of the 1930s, which is why so many radios of the time had shortwave bands to get European or Asian stations. It is very interesting (and scary) piece of history that in Nazi era Germany, high end receivers were confiscated, and people were reduced to buying the VE301 Volksemfanger ("Goebbels' Snout") radio, capable of only receiving local (propaganda) broadcasts. Receiving foreign broadcasts in Nazi era Germany was a crime punishable by prison and possibly death. Compare this to the US where you could buy the radio of your choice (if you had the money, otherwise, you could build one).