Polarad Electronics Corporation

Polarad Electronics Corporation Overview

Polarad Electronics Corporation was a U.S.-based company specializing in electronic and microwave test equipment, components, and broadcast gear from the 1940s to the 1960s. Below is a comprehensive summary based on available historical records, collector databases, and industry references.

Company Background

  • Founded: 1944 in Long Island, New York, by Paul H. Odessey and David L. Jaffe.
  • Name Origin: “Polarad” derives from the founders’ initials (P.O. + L.J.) plus “rad” for radio.
  • Industry: Electronics, focusing on radio frequency (RF), microwave, and video test equipment for military, industrial, and broadcast applications.
  • Key Period: Most active during the post-World War II electronics boom (1940s-1960s), a time of rapid growth in radio, television, and radar technology.
  • Acquisition: Acquired by Rohde & Schwarz (a German test equipment manufacturer) in the 1960s. After this, some Polarad products were rebranded (e.g., Rohde & Schwarz Polarad SPN audio generator), and the company gradually phased out as an independent entity by the 1970s.

Products and Innovations

Polarad was renowned for high-quality test and measurement equipment, particularly in RF and microwave applications. Their product line included:

  • Microwave Equipment:
    • Spectrum Analyzers (e.g., SA-1, SA-84WA): Used for analyzing RF/microwave signals in communications and radar.
    • Signal Generators: For testing radio and TV systems (e.g., SPN audio generator, 1107E/1207E test sets).
    • Pulse and Jamming Equipment: Likely includes the PJ-1 (possibly a pulse jammer or probe unit, though poorly documented).
  • Vacuum Tubes:
    • ZV1011 Reflex Klystron (“Velocitron”): A microwave tube for signal generation in SHF/EHF bands (>3 GHz), used in test setups and radar.
    • Other klystrons and tubes for RF applications.
  • Broadcast Gear:
    • VTA-101 Video Tape Analyzer: For television studios to measure video tape quality and playback errors.
    • Equipment for TV and radio signal testing.
  • Total Models: Over 60 radio-related models, many using vacuum tubes, as cataloged by collector sites like Radiomuseum.org.

Their equipment was prized for precision and durability, often used by government agencies, broadcasters, and electronics manufacturers. Many units are now collectibles, appearing on eBay or in vintage radio museums.

Notable Historical Event

  • 1961 Trademark Lawsuit: Polaroid Corp. v. Polarad Electronics Corp. (287 F.2d 492). Polaroid Corporation sued Polarad over the similar name, alleging trademark infringement. The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in Polarad’s favor, citing:
    • Polaroid’s 10-year delay in filing (laches).
    • No consumer confusion, as Polaroid made cameras/optics, while Polarad focused on electronics.
    • This case established the “Polaroid factors,” a legal test for trademark confusion still used in U.S. law.

Legacy and Current Status

  • Cessation: Polarad ceased independent operations after the Rohde & Schwarz acquisition in the 1960s. By the 1970s, the brand was largely discontinued, though some equipment carried the “Rohde & Schwarz Polarad” label.