A. Atwater Kent
Arthur Atwater Kent Sr. | |
---|---|
Hollywood, California | |
Education | Worcester Polytechnic Institute |
Spouse | Mabel (1883-1971) |
Arthur Atwater Kent Sr. (December 3, 1873 – March 4, 1949) was an American inventor and prominent radio manufacturer based in Philadelphia. In 1921, he patented the modern form of the automobile ignition coil.[1]
Biography
Arthur Kent was born on December 3, 1873, in Burlington, Vermont.[1]
The Kent family moved to Worcester, Massachusetts in 1881, where they lived at four different locations. His father was a doctor who had also been a machinist. The father maintained a machine shop in Worcester when Arthur was a child. Kent entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s freshman mechanical engineering class in the fall of 1895. He was elected treasurer of the class of 1899, but only remained in the position for one semester, because he did not attend recitation classes after the mid-year exams in January. Kent excelled in mechanics and drawing, but was weak in chemistry, algebra, and language, and had no interest in these subjects. He was already running a small business and that was his top priority. His business was called the Kent Electric Manufacturing Company, which he began in the back room of his father’s machine shop, and from which he sold small electric motors, generators, fans, and later automobile ignition systems. The Unisparker Ignition systems became the automobile industry standard for almost 50 years, until the advent of the HEI systems.[2]
In 1921, Kent produced his first radio components, selling the do-it-yourself kits consisting of "breadboards" that could be assembled by early radio enthusiasts.[3] The same year, he introduced the Model 5, primarily as a promotional tool.[4] In 1923, his firm started producing complete radio sets, using a facility on Stenton Avenue, introducing the Model 10 for Christmas that year.[4] This was followed by the Model 9 "and a broad line of breadboard sets".[4] In 1924, the company moved to a new $2 million plant at 4745 Wissahickon Avenue in North Philadelphia. This plant, constructed in sections, would eventually cover 32 acres (13 ha).
In 1925, the Atwater Kent Manufacturing Company became the largest maker of radios in the United States. The company also sponsored the popular
Atwater Kent radios were of high quality and many examples of working models exist today; they are highly prized by collectors and restorers. Their wooden cabinets were made for Atwater Kent by the Red Lion and Pooley furniture companies. Some models looked more like furniture than radios, and others had multiple functions, like the radio housed inside a grandfather clock.
The onset of the
In 1937, Kent helped to organize and pay for the restoration of the
Personal life
His daughter, Virginia Tucker Kent (April 17, 1915–April 29, 1966) married and divorced Cummins Catherwood, and inspired Patricia Highsmith, resulting in the novel The Price of Salt.[11][12][13]
Atwater Kent died on March 4, 1949, in
Legacy
He was awarded the
Kent's son-in-law, William L. Van Alen, is the founder of the United States Court Tennis Association[14]
Kent was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame in 1992.
Patents
- U.S. patent 1,391,256 – Induction coil structure – 1921
- U.S. patent 1,474,152 – Induction coil – 1923
- U.S. patent 1,474,597 – Induction coil – 1923
- U.S. patent 1,569,756 – Ignition coil – 1926
- U.S. patent 1,597,901 – Radio apparatus – (Filed November 29, 1922; Issued August 31, 1926.)
References
- ^ a b c "A. Atwater Kent, Radio Pioneer 75. Inventor of Auto Equipment, Philanthropist, Dies. Was Noted for Aid to Singers". The New York Times. March 5, 1949.
- ^ Williams, Ralph, and John P. Wolkonowicz. A. Atwater Kent : the Man, the Manufacturer, and His Radios. Philadelphia: Sonoran Pub, 2002. Print.
- ^ McMahon, Morgan E. A Flick of the Switch 1930–1950 (Antiques Electronics Supply, 1990), p.62.
- ^ a b c McMahon, p.62.
- ^ McMahon, p.63.
- ^ Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia: "AKMP History" Archived 2008-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Williams, p.70.
- ^ Williams, p.71.
- ^ TIME, Business: Kent Quits
- ^ Williams, pp.72–73.
- ^ Schenkar, Joan (25 February 2016). "What Patricia Highsmith did for love: 'The Price of Salt' and the secrets behind 'Carol'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
And only Pat's Proust-like sense-memories of her amour fatal of 1946-47 — Virginia Kent Catherwood, a lovely, wayward, redheaded heiress from a prominent Philadelphia Main Line family — allowed her to sink her whole self in her book.
- ^ Cohen, Jeffrey Edwards (February 10, 2018). "Virginia Tucker (née Kent) Catherwood". Geni.com. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
17 April 1915 to 29 April 1966
- ^ "Mrs. Catherwood, 51, Atwater Kent Kin". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1 May 1966. p. 72. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
via newspapers.com
- ^ "Eleanor Steward, James Van Alen Jr". The New York Times. Jan 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
Sources
- McMahon, Morgan E. A Flick of the Switch 1930–1950. Antiques Electronics Supply, 1990. Pages 62 & 63. ISBN 0-914126-10-5.
- Williams, Ralph O. "Atwater Kent: Master of Marketing". The AWA Review, Vol. 10, 1996.