This GE wire recorder is a licensed copy of the Armour model 50 recorder designed and made for the U.S. military during World War II. Based on the work of Marvin Camras, Armour fabricated wire recorders at a small, specially-built plant until 1944. The demand for increased production of recorders led GE to begin production of the model 51.
The Armed Forces Radio Service used a variety of recording devices, including wire recorders, to bring programming to troops stationed around the world. This wire recorder used four vacuum tubes and ran on alternating current.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.