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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
NBC Radio Microphone Used by President Roosevelt
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

NBC Radio Microphone Used by President Roosevelt

Artifact IDMO 1997.10
Object Type Microphone
Maker (American, 1919 - 1986)
Dateearly 1930s
Mediumpaint on metal, metal (iron alloy, copper alloy), rubber, plastic
Dimensionsoverall H 15 in x W 6 3/4 in x D 5 3/4 in (38.1 cm x 17.1 cm x 14.6 cm )
 part a (microphone) H 6 3/4 in x W 6 3/4 in x D 5 3/4 in (17.1 cm x 17.1 cm x 14.6 cm )
 part b (stand) H 8 1/4 in x W 5 3/4 in x D 5 3/4 in (21 cm x 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn RCA model 4-A-1 condenser microphone made of cast white metal painted black. It is mounted on a black RCA announce stand.

On three sides of the microphone box are steel plates with silk screen images of the NBC logo. On the fourth side is the mouth piece which is made of milled copper alloy disks with a metal screen, all attached with screws to the microphone body. On top of the microphone is a painted red number "2", a gold colored National Broadcasting Company property decal, and a commemorative copper alloy plate with stamped inscriptions, attached to the body with two screws. Brass manufacturer's plates are attached to the top of the microphone and the bottom of stand. A 30" long remnant of black flexible rubber connecting cable is still attached to the microphone with a coil metal spring.



Historical NoteFDR used this microphone to deliver some of his famous Fireside Chats from the White House during the 1930s. The design of the model 4-A-1 microphone, manufactured by RCA Victor in the early 1930s, represented the state-of-the-art at the time and was a workhorse in the broadcast industry until it was supplanted by the model 44, and later the 77 ribbon velocity types. It is commonly called the RCA "box camera". The microphone is on display in the REACHING THE PEOPLE exhibit in the Museum’s NEW DEAL gallery.
Additional Details
Credit LineGift of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links
YouTube video featuring Supervisory Curator Herman Eberhardt discussing President Roosevelt's famous radio “Fireside Chats" and his NBC Radio Microphone: Museum Collection - "FDR'S Conversation With America"