American Radio and Research Corporation

Dates

• Existence: 1915 -- 1930 - 1930

Biography

Abstract:

The American Radio and Research Corporation, or AMRAD, was founded in 1915 by Tufts alumnus Harold J. Power, A1914. In 1930, Power merged what remained of AMRAD with Motorola, and sold all the local AMRAD facilities to Tufts.

The American Radio and Research Corporation, or AMRAD, was founded in 1915 by Tufts alumnus Harold J. Power, A1914. AMRAD was involved in pioneering work both as a broadcast radio station and as a manufacturing company.

AMRAD was first based on the Tufts hillside after Power negotiated with Tufts to use the land. He built a 304-foot radio tower and an accompanying laboratory behind West Hall. Using that tower, AMRAD became one of the first broadcast radio stations in the country. It was assigned the call letters 1XE, then later WGI, and became one of the most popular stations in the Boston area until the early 1920s. AMRAD also manufactured radio parts for both domestic and military use. During the First World War, AMRAD developed and manufactured transmitters and receivers for the US military, and also worked on an advanced submarine detection system. AMRAD also developed a number of simplified receivers and broadcasters for civilian use.

After World War I, Power built an AMRAD manufacturing plant next to the Boston-Maine railroad tracks. The plant was used to increase AMRAD's daily production capabilities, but could not save the company from financial decline. Power was not able to maintain AMRAD as a profitable company, and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1925.

In 1930, Power merged what remained of AMRAD with Motorola, and sold all the local AMRAD facilities to Tufts. Tufts turned the broadcasting laboratory into North Hall. The manufacturing plant became the Hooper Laboratory, which was later renovated and renamed Halligan Hall.

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