MAK's Old Radio Pages
Norman Baker / Tangley (Muscatine, IA)
*** Thanks to those collectors who made material available for photos ***
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2003, 2004 All rights reserved; updated Dec 29, 2003
Tangley 5-Tube Receiver, Muscatine, Iowa
(Actual manufacturer unknown)
Tangley receivers were sold by the Norman Baker enterprise of Muscatine, IA.
Baker operated KTNT radio, as well as a number of other local businesses.
These businesses ranged from manufacture of "Calliaphones" to
sale of "Tangley Tires" to operation of a "cancer cure" hospital.
While KFNF and KMA (Shenandoah, IA stations) were considered to have
pushed the envelope in commercialization of radio, KTNT likely
exceeded the acceptable boundaries of the day.
(Advertisements shown are from Bakers "TNT" magazine.)
At one time, Baker attempted to exploit his recognition in a bid to become
Iowa governor. It is questionable how serious of effort was made, as Baker
was apparently setting up a radio station in Mexico at the time
(according to "Doctors, Dynamiters, and Gunmen", "the Life Story of Norman Baker").
This was after the demise of KTNT in 1931.
While he never occupied the governor's mansion,
he was for a short time a resident of a less glamorous government-provided
domicile. Incidentally, Baker's taste in color is the inspiration
for the background color on this page.
This "Norman Baker for Governor" poster was given to me by a good friend
and fellow radio collector. A fortunate gift - this is the only such
poster I've encountered in reviewing Baker materials.
These businesses ranged from manufacture of "Calliaphones" to
sale of "Tangley Tires" to operation of a "cancer cure" hospital.
While KFNF and KMA (Shenandoah, IA stations) were considered to have
pushed the envelope in commercialization of radio, KTNT likely
exceeded the acceptable boundaries of the day.
(Advertisements shown are from Bakers "TNT" magazine.)
