Zenith Radio Nurse, 1938
Add to SetSummary
The first baby monitor was created by Zenith president, Eugene McDonald, Jr. Concerned for his daughter's safety following the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping, McDonald's device allowed monitoring of children after bedtime. The "Guardian Ear" transmitter was installed in a child's bedroom while the "Radio Nurse" receiver was placed near parents. Sculptor Isamu Noguchi created the receiver's aesthetic, which looked like an abstracted image of a nurse with cap.
The first baby monitor was created by Zenith president, Eugene McDonald, Jr. Concerned for his daughter's safety following the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping, McDonald's device allowed monitoring of children after bedtime. The "Guardian Ear" transmitter was installed in a child's bedroom while the "Radio Nurse" receiver was placed near parents. Sculptor Isamu Noguchi created the receiver's aesthetic, which looked like an abstracted image of a nurse with cap.
Artifact
Radio receiver
Date Made
1938
Creators
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Made by Zenith Radio Corporation; receiving unit styled by Isamu Noguchi
Keywords
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2004.10.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Plastic
Composite material
Cardboard
Metal
Dimensions
Height: 6.25 in (2004.10.1.1 = Guardian Ear transmitter)
Width: 4.25 in (2004.10.1.1 = Guardian Ear transmitter)
Depth: 8.25 in (2004.10.1.1 = Guardian Ear transmitter)
Height: 6.75 in (2004.10.1.2 = Guardian Ear product package)
Width: 9 in (2004.10.1.2 = Guardian Ear product package)
Width: 7 in (2004.10.1.3 = Radio Nurse receiver)
Depth: 4.5 in (2004.10.1.2 = Guardian Ear product package)
Depth: 8 in (2004.10.1.3 = Radio Nurse receiver)
Height: 6 in (2004.10.1.3 = Radio Nurse receiver)
Height: 6.75 in (2004.10.1.4 = Radio Nurse product package)
Width: 8.75 in (2004.10.1.4 = Radio Nurse product package)
Depth: 7 in (2004.10.1.4 = Radio Nurse product package)
Inscriptions
label on transmitter: GUARDIAN EAR / OF THE / RADIO NURSE / PATENT APPLIED FOR / 117 VOLTS / 50/60 CYCLES / 25 WATT / ZENITH RADIO CORP., CHICAGO printed on transmitter product package: ZENITH / RADIO NURSE / THE GUARDIAN THAT NEVER STOPS / GUARDIAN EAR ZENITH / RADIO NURSE / SOS / DESIGN BY NOGUCHI / PATENT APPLIED FOR / 117 VOLTS - 50/60 CYCLE - 25 WATTS / ZENITH RADIO CORP., CHICAGO [underside of receiver] ZENITH / RADIO NURSE / THE GUARDIAN THAT NEVER STOPS [printed on receiver product package]
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