Overview
Westinghouse was a major American manufacturer of vacuum tubes, electronic components, radio equipment, and industrial electronics during the 20th century. Through its Electronic Tube Division and related electronics operations, Westinghouse produced receiving tubes, transmitting tubes, cathode-ray tubes, industrial tubes, and military electronic components used in radios, televisions, communications systems, radar equipment, and broadcast transmitters.
Westinghouse became heavily involved in radio and electronics development during the early growth of commercial broadcasting and electrical engineering in the United States. The company manufactured vacuum tubes for both consumer electronics and industrial applications, becoming one of the major American tube producers alongside RCA, GE, Sylvania, and Tung-Sol.
Westinghouse tubes were widely used in home radios, television receivers, military electronics, laboratory equipment, amateur radio systems, and industrial control equipment. The company also produced specialized transmitting and industrial power tubes for commercial broadcasting and defense systems.
During World War II, Westinghouse expanded electronics manufacturing for military communications, radar, and aviation systems.
As semiconductor technology replaced vacuum tubes during the 1960s and 1970s, Westinghouse gradually shifted toward semiconductor, defense, and industrial electronics production.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics Manufacturing |
| Parent Company | Westinghouse Electric Corporation |
| Products | Vacuum tubes, transmitting tubes, CRTs, industrial electronics |
| Markets | Consumer, industrial, military, broadcasting |
| Known For | Radio tubes, television tubes, industrial electronics |
Description
Westinghouse manufactured receiving tubes, miniature tubes, transmitting tubes, cathode-ray tubes, industrial power tubes, and military electronic components for consumer and professional electronics applications.
Products were used in radios, television receivers, communications equipment, oscilloscopes, military radar systems, and broadcast transmitters.
Westinghouse also participated in television technology development and produced television receivers and related electronics equipment.
History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1900s | Westinghouse expanded electrical and radio research operations |
| 1920s | Entered commercial radio tube manufacturing |
| 1930s | Expanded consumer and industrial electronics production |
| 1940s | Produced military electronics and radar equipment during World War II |
| 1950s | Expanded television and industrial tube manufacturing |
| 1960s | Increased semiconductor and defense electronics operations |
| 1970s | Vacuum tube production declined with semiconductor adoption |
Historical Addresses
| Period | Address |
|---|---|
| Mid-20th Century | Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Mid-20th Century | Westinghouse Electronic Tube Division, Elmira, New York |
| Mid-20th Century | Westinghouse Lamp Division, Bloomfield, New Jersey |