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As I have pointed out in the past,
by the end of 1944, everyone - at least in the United States - was pretty much convinced
that World War II was all but done. Advertisements and articles in
most of the
magazines were going full force with promoting a plethora of great new consumer products
that would soon be flowing from post-war factories and into the homes of the families
who had sacrificed life, limb, fortune, and opportunity on the parts of fathers,
brothers, boyfriends, and husbands who fought Axis powers during the past four and
a half years. Parents, children, and wives of those who went "Over There" played an invaluable part back home in the success by managing
single-parent households and filling in on jobs formerly performed by the
servicemen. Life
was difficult at home and on the battlefields but they persevered. We still refer to them collectively
as "The Greatest Generation." Interestingly, one of the main impediments
to implementing the aforementioned grand plan was difficulty in transporting raw
materials and piece parts to manufacturing plants, and then distributing finished
goods to the stores. Recall that it wasn't until a decade after the war, during the presidency
of Dwight D. Eisenhower (America's only 5-star general - ever) that the
Interstate Highway System was created in 1956
to solve just that problem. Our modern day logistical operations of over-the-road
hauling would not be possible without such a comprehensive series of interconnected
highways.
For the Record
 By B.G. Davis, editor
Manufacturers in the radio-electronic industry will lose no time in manufacturing
receivers and transmitters for civilian consumption once Germany capitulates. One
of the major factors now confronting the field is the distribution of their products.
The problem will be most difficult where markets are situated far from the source
of production. This will be due to wartime controls over shipping and transportation
and will no doubt delay deliveries. On the other hand factories located relatively
close to the source of markets will be able to find ready distribution of their
goods.
Hundreds of small war plants will face an immediate reconversion once the Nazis
have been licked. Our industry will be faced with a critical distribution problem
when these newcomers make their appearance with their products in a competitive
market. Trade names heretofore unknown will appear. Some will find their way to
the established distributor's stock shelves. Many others will not. We have witnessed
an increasing flow of publicity material emanating from dozens of new entrees into
this field. Since Pearl Harbor these manufacturers, many of them subcontractors,
have been doing minor assembly work on radio and electronic units for military consumption.
Most of them have engaged recognized radio or electronic engineers. Many of these
engineers are directly associated with the administration of their company and therefore,
have a voice in the future policies which they will pursue. Being set up to produce
radio and electronic equipment, many of them have made the decision to remain in
business status quo.
It now appears that the goal for the first year's production after reconversion
will be based on 1941 demands and will mean an output of 10,000,000 to 16,000,000
sets . Most of these will go into American homes to replace inefficient and obsolete
sets and as extra receivers. Next will appear heavy demands for automobile radios
as soon , as new car production resumes its 1941 pace and when gasoline restrictions
are once more relaxed. The end of the war in Germany will result in at least a 30%
cutback in military orders for radio-electronic equipment according to latest information
from the WPB. This means that there is a possibility that a limited number of receivers
will be produced and placed on the market before Christmas. The radio industry at
the present time is producing at a rate ten times greater than prewar volumes. The
release of manpower resulting from cutbacks in other industries will permit radio-electronic
manufacturers to hire additional skilled help which will be needed. Many manufacturers
will take a long range viewpoint, particularly those engaged in the manufacture
of large transmitters, so that a gradual reconversion to normal operations may be
spread over a period of ten months to a year.
There is a heavy demand for new transmitting equipment. Applications for construction
permits are being received by the FCC at an increasing rate. The market for such
equipment will be most lucrative. Here again distribution will become an important
factor. Small stations situated in remote spots will find it difficult to receive
shipments of heavy equipment for several months to come. And here again it will
be necessary for the government to expedite deliveries just as soon as demands upon
the railroads subside.
While FM transmitters are being produced there will be a period of delay in introducing
FM receivers to the public. At the present time there are more than 50 FM stations
in operation or under construction and it is now apparent that at least 200 more
will be on the air within a year after reconversion. The sale of new FM sets naturally
will be slow until the new stations actually begin broadcasting.
There is no doubt that television someday will become as popular as radio broadcasting
itself. Here again we find that plenty of groundwork has been laid and, like the
production of radio receivers for FM, only awaits the availability of television
material to start the ball rolling. Manufacturers of video sets are now lining up
their distribution in all parts of the country and a few of them are con-ducting
classes for the training of servicemen to maintain their television receivers after
they are sold. There still is a general lack of information available to those who
will sell and service television receivers. One large manufacturer in the East is
now conducting special classes for the training of men. We hope that others will
follow. It's a step in the right direction ....... O.R.
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