Majestic Radios
[1] After Grigsby-Grunow's demise in 1934 during the Great Depression, Majestic Radios continued to be made through subsequent corporate ownership changes and reorganizations for another twenty-two years.
The device, developed by inventor William Lear for Grigsby-Grunow, eliminated the need for a cumbersome array of lead-acid batteries and chargers to power radio receivers of the time.
[8][9] In 1927, Grigsby-Grunow (by then, Hinds was no longer a part of the enterprise) began making "Majestic" radios featuring dynamic speakers with moving-coils and advanced circuitry employing screen-grid tubes for improved reception.
[10] This was a considerable improvement over previous radios having typically poor selectivity and producing inferior sound from old-fashioned horn speakers or earphones.
[14] Majestic's trademarked slogan was "The Mighty Monarch of the Air" and its advertising in 1930 touted a 40 percent market share of U.S. and Canada radio sales.
[15] In a March, 1930, review, the Charlotte Observer said the Majestic brand was "famous the world over for its excellent reception and colorful tone", with "striking yet tasteful cabinet designs".
[1] Indeed, so highly regarded were the radios that Graf Zeppelin navigator Max Pruss purchased a set in 1929 while his dirigible was moored at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, to take back to his home in Germany.
[17] As the Great Depression worsened, the company faced a number of patent infringement lawsuits and declining sales for its expensive console models.
The model 161 (pictured at top) produced in 1933 was a superheterodyne receiver with Art Deco-style chrome decorative trim adorning the loudspeaker grill cloth and a hand-rubbed mahogany cabinet, having a list price of $47.50.
[3] Included in the acquisition were the trademarks "Majestic Radio" and "The Mighty Monarch of the Air", along with unsold inventory, manufacturing equipment, and Grigsby-Grunow's former Chicago factory, which Zenith needed for its own expansion plans.
The Majestic Radio & Television Corporation was formed, with stock in the new company offered at $3.75 per share in October, 1936, to raise working capital and facilitate business expansion.
[26] Early in his career, inventor Otis Boykin began working for the company as a laboratory assistant, eventually becoming plant foreman.
[26] During World War II, the company performed defense work, employing noted crystallographer George Switzer to ensure that the crystal oscillators in aircraft transceivers were operating on the intended frequencies.
[29] Majestic's product line included colorful, futuristic tabletop sets, as well as combination radio and phonograph consoles with FM tuners, beginning in 1947.
[47] As 1961 drew to a close in late December, Wilcox-Gay was again bankrupt and went out of business completely, with its property, equipment, and remaining inventory going on the auction block March 27–29, 1962.
