Overview
Hytron Radio & Electronics Corporation was an American manufacturer of vacuum tubes and electronic components active during the early and mid-20th century. The company became widely known for producing receiving tubes used in radios, televisions, military electronics, communications systems, and industrial equipment.
Founded during the early years of commercial radio, Hytron developed a strong presence in the replacement vacuum tube market as well as OEM manufacturing. The company produced receiving tubes, transmitting tubes, rectifiers, and specialty electronic components used in consumer and professional electronics equipment.
During World War II, Hytron expanded production to support military electronics manufacturing, supplying vacuum tubes for communications and radar systems. Following the war, the company continued growing as television ownership expanded across the United States.
In 1951, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) acquired Hytron Radio & Electronics Corporation. After the acquisition, products were commonly marketed under the CBS-Hytron brand name. CBS continued manufacturing vacuum tubes for television, radio, and industrial markets through the 1950s and 1960s.
CBS-Hytron tubes became common replacement parts sold through electronics distributors, repair shops, and parts stores throughout North America.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Headquarters | Salem, Massachusetts, USA |
| Products | Vacuum tubes, television tubes, transmitting tubes, rectifiers |
| Parent Company | CBS (after 1951) |
| Brands | Hytron, CBS-Hytron |
Description
Hytron manufactured a wide variety of vacuum tube types including miniature, octal, loctal, television receiving, and transmitting tubes. Products were used in home radios, television receivers, laboratory equipment, military electronics, amateur radio equipment, and industrial systems.
CBS-Hytron packaging became especially recognizable during the television service era of the 1950s and 1960s, commonly appearing in radio and TV repair shops.
History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Hytron Radio & Electronics Corporation founded |
| 1930s | Expanded production of radio receiving tubes |
| 1940s | Produced tubes for wartime military electronics |
| 1951 | Acquired by Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) |
| 1950s | Products marketed under CBS-Hytron branding |
| 1960s | Continued television and industrial tube production |
| 1970s | Vacuum tube production declined with semiconductor adoption |
Historical Addresses
| Period | Address |
|---|---|
| 1920s–1940s | Hytron Radio & Electronics Corp., Salem, Massachusetts |
| 1950s | CBS-Hytron, Danvers, Massachusetts |
| 1950s–1960s | CBS Electronics Division, Newburyport, Massachusetts |
References
- https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?company_id=7013
Radiomuseum company profile covering Hytron company history and manufacturing information. - https://salempl.org/wiki/index.php?title=Hytron_Radio_and_Electronics_Co.
Salem historical archive documenting Hytron Radio and Electronics Company operations in Massachusetts. - https://chsi.emuseum.com/people/objects/1703
Historical museum archive containing Hytron corporate and product information. - https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp138093/hytron
Science Museum Group historical information covering Hytron and CBS-Hytron operations. - https://www.one-electron.com/Archives/Tube/Hytron/Hytron.html
Archive of Hytron technical literature and vacuum tube manufacturing documents.