Electronics Themed Comics
January 1945 Radio-Craft

January 1945 Radio-Craft [Table of Contents] Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Craft, published 1929 - 1953. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

Frank Beavan must have earned a nice paycheck with this 1945 issue of Radio-Craft. He drew many of the electronics-themed comics for magazines back in the 1940s through the 1960s. While some months had no comics at all or only one or two, the January edition sported no fewer than six. I'm guessing Mr. Beaven worked on a per-comic basis, so the bank account was looking good. One of my favorite features in his comics is the "Technical Terms Illustrated" gig where a reader suggested that he create a comic based on, in this case, "A Crystal Detector" and "Audio Amplifier." You can find others in the rather large list of comics at the bottom of the page. As is often the case, you need to have an appreciation for the radio trends of the era to "get" some of the themes - like the "Hattie Talkie" (a la walkie-talkie or handie-talkie).

Electronics Themed Comics

Suggested by: E. R. Loving, Weston, Mo.

"I want it changed to 'FM'!" (Page 221)

Radio Term Illustrated: "A Crystal Detector"

Suggested by: Steve Elco, Linden. N. J.

 (Page 223)

Technical Terms Illustrated: "Audio Amplifier"

Suggested by: Bill Wortman, Oakley, Ill.

 (Page 232)

Suggested by: Tom Blakley, Miami, Fla.

"He just can't settle down to reading until he's gone over it thoroughly with his pin detector." (Page 236)

"Now this model, we call a 'Hattie Talkie'!" (Page 243)

Suggested by: E. R. Loving, Weston, Mo.

"Here's one I can let you have for a reasonably outrageous price." (Page 248)

Posted March 23, 2021