Early Wireless
Back in the early days of wireless a good aerial was an essential part of the wireless receiver, especially if using a crystal set for reception where no amplification was used.
During the 1930-40’s as receivers became more sensitive with greater output the need for a good aerial for reception became less and the aerial became an unwelcome lump of wire draped up outside or around the skirting board!
Indoor frame aerials of many designs were also used in this period, many receivers having the frame aerial built into the set with a rotating base to align the frame up on the transmitter.
Many other designs of indoor aerial could be bought. The Ducon used the mains leads (with a suitable isolating condenser!) to pick up signals from the mains
wiring by plugging into the light socket.
Perhaps the Electron Globe aerial would look nice hanging up outside the front
door or gleaming in the living room!
Available in copper or chrome.
In many old street markets just after WW2 could be found the
answer to the indoor aerial problem.
Whittaker Electrical Products took a standard paper condenser and marketed this as a new aerial.
It was just using the layers of condenser foil as an aerial!
War surplus condensers, like this TCC, could be bought up cheaply and labeled accordingly.
The market traders had a battery receiver working on a powerful signal. They plugged in a short length of wire to demonstrate a poor aerial, (wiggling it about to cause crackle! ). Then plugged in the Whittaker aerial and results were better. Many spent their hard earnt half a crown in the 1940’s on one of these doubtful devices!