World of Tube Radios

Step into the fascinating world of tube radios, which for many decades were the heart of home entertainment. Long before television and the internet became part of everyday life, radio brought music, news, and culture directly into people’s living rooms.

The development began in the early 20th century, when the first radio broadcasts were transmitted. With the introduction of the vacuum tube, it became possible to amplify radio signals and receive them reliably. In the 1920s, the first commercial radio receivers appeared and were considered technological marvels.

During the 1930s to the 1950s, tube radios experienced their golden age. Radios became more powerful, offered better sound quality, and were increasingly designed with great attention to aesthetics. Elegant wooden cabinets, illuminated tuning scales, and decorative speaker fabrics turned many radios into design icons.

After World War II, tube radios became symbols of economic recovery and modern living. They were the centerpiece of many living rooms and accompanied generations through music programs, radio dramas, and important news broadcasts.

With the introduction of transistor technology in the 1960s, the era of tube radios slowly came to an end. The new devices were smaller, more energy-efficient, and cheaper to produce. Nevertheless, tube radios are still admired today for their warm sound, sophisticated technology, and timeless design.

In this exhibition area you will discover a selection of particularly beautiful, rare, and technically remarkable tube radios that illustrate the development of radio technology over several decades.