Loewe 3NF radio valve, 1926-1966

Made:
1926-1966 in Tottenham
Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham

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Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham, London, England, 1926-1966.

The Loewe multiple valves contained the components from several different type of valves in one, and can be called the world's first integrated circuit. At the time, radio manufacturers had to pay a royalty to the Marconi Company for each radio receiver produced, based on the number of valve holders it contained. The Loewe multiple valve contained all the components needed for radio reception in a single valve, meaning that only one valve holder was required. Thus a single valve could be used, along with a coil, to create a cheap but effective radio receiver. One downside of the multiple valve was that if one of the filaments blew, the whole valve was rendered useless. Loewe dealt with this by offering a filament repair service.

Details

Category:
Electronic Components
Object Number:
1966-268
Materials:
glass, metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall: 170 mm x 80 mm diameter
type:
thermionic valve
credit:
Donated by the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine

Parts

Packaging of Loewe 3NF radio valve, 1926-1966

Packaging of Loewe 3NF radio valve, 1926-1966

Yellow part of thermionic valve, presumably packaging, from Loewe 3NF radio valve, made by Loewe and Company, Tottenham, London, England, 1926-1966

Object Number:
1966-268/2
type:
packaging