With a bit of researching, I was actually able to find the make and model of the radio. It was a GE Blue Max P2760 Blue Police Light AM Transistor radio.
The purpose of the radio? Why to listen to the broadcast of Santa's progress, as reported by the good folks at NORAD. These days, but the way, NORAD broadcasts this on-line; you can find it HERE.
For whatever reason I remember the house being dimly lit when the radio was being used on Christmas Eve. That was, I suspect, all part of the plan, namely to make four little boys sleepy on Christmas Eve.
On another note, while I don't collect radios, I do have two vintage radios in my office. The first is a terrific Sony table radio that actually works really, really well. The second is an actual Kmart brand radio from the early 60's that I'm quite frankly afraid to even power up. The Blue Max will be joining that small collection, courtesy of a seller on Ebay.
3 comments:
Wow! Christmas and radio hold so many memories. I always remember the WARM people giving Santa tracking updates late on Christmas Eve afternoon, before the station went wall to wall Christmas at night. Getting a chance to do it one year was a major thrill. I also remember the late edition of the afternoon Scranton Times arriving, with the "Santa spotted" bulletin on page one. I'm not sure the internet holds as much charm for today's kids, but times change.
--Andy Palumbo
Thanks Andy! I am absolutely positive it was WARM we were listening to back in those days (late 60's, early 70's), as that was the station one listened to for such important stuff.
- Steve
I occasionally wonder why I wound up doing what I do. Maybe those Christmas Eve's, glued to the radio, played a role. I can still hear the late, great Terry McNulty in my head.
--Andy Palumbo
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