Overview
Continental Radio & Television Corporation was an American electronics manufacturer founded in Chicago, Illinois, during the 1930s by Ross D. Siragusa. The company became widely known through its Admiral brand of radios and televisions and eventually evolved into one of the largest consumer electronics and appliance manufacturers in the United States.
The Admiral brand ultimately became more recognizable than the parent company name, and many products were marketed simply as “Admiral.”
Technical Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Continental Radio & Television Corporation |
| Founded | 1934 |
| Founder | Ross D. Siragusa |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Primary Brand | Admiral |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics and Appliances |
| Major Products | Radios, televisions, phonographs, appliances |
| Successor Company | Admiral Corporation |
| Later Ownership | Rockwell International |
Physical Description
Continental Radio & Television Corporation manufactured a broad range of consumer electronics products including tabletop radios, console radios, phonographs, black-and-white televisions, color televisions, and household appliances. Products carrying the Admiral name were sold nationwide through retail stores and catalogs.
History
Ross D. Siragusa founded Continental Radio & Television Corporation in Chicago in 1934 following the financial collapse of his earlier radio parts distribution business during the Great Depression. The company initially focused on affordable consumer radios marketed under the Admiral trademark.
During World War II, Continental produced military electronics and communications equipment for the U.S. government. The company significantly expanded its manufacturing capacity during this period.
Following the war, the company entered the rapidly growing television market and became one of the leading television manufacturers in America during the late 1940s and 1950s. Admiral televisions became common household products throughout the United States.
As the Admiral brand gained national recognition, the company increasingly operated publicly under the Admiral Corporation name. By the 1950s, Admiral had expanded into refrigerators, air conditioners, and other household appliances.
The company remained headquartered in Chicago and operated multiple manufacturing facilities throughout Illinois. Competition from imported consumer electronics during the 1970s contributed to financial decline, leading to acquisition by Rockwell International in 1973.
Historical Address
Continental Radio & Television Corporation
3800 W. Cortland
Chicago, Illinois
Historical Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1934 | Continental Radio & Television Corporation founded by Ross D. Siragusa |
| Late 1930s | Admiral brand radios gain national distribution |
| 1940s | Military electronics production during World War II |
| 1947 | Entry into commercial television manufacturing |
| 1950s | Admiral becomes one of America’s leading television brands |
| 1950s-1960s | Expansion into appliances and home electronics |
| 1973 | Acquired by Rockwell International |
References
- RadioMuseum: Continental Radio & Television Corp.
Manufacturer history and product listings. - Siragusa Foundation: Ross D. Siragusa Biography
Background information on the company founder. - Wikipedia: Admiral Corporation
Corporate history and ownership information.