The 1934 National Electrical and Radio Exposition was held in New York City at Madison Square Garden from September 19th to the 29th. The Electrical Association of New York organized the exposition. It was one of the annual radio and electronic products trade shows held in the city in the 1920s through the 1940s. Similar radio expositions during the era were hosted in other major U.S. cities sponsored by local trade associations that brought together manufacturers, retailers, and customers.

The expositions included national manufacturers and large retailers from around the country to display, demonstrate, and sell their products. Among the more prominent products featured at the expositions during this period were radios, household appliances (vacuums, ovens, refrigerators, etc.), home/industrial lighting, and heating/air conditioning technology.

The 1934 exposition had 150 “master exhibits” with large exhibitors paying $25,000 to secure a space to display their products for the eleven day show. The New York Times reported that after a slow beginning exhibitors were pleased with the business generated from their participation in the exposition. In addition to the master exhibitors, booths were occupied by groups like the Boy Scouts of America, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the New York Health Department demonstrating their use of new technology. At the 1935 show, the New York Police Department had a display of their radio equipment and exhibited a “burglar proof safe that broadcast an alarm when a person approached too close.”

The 1934 show opened with a message from President Franklin D Roosevelt on September 19th read by the National Administrator of Federal Housing Administration. Two studios broadcast from the exposition to over 200 radio stations across the country. Broadcasting Day on September 23rd featured musical performances and dramatic presentations in the “Crystal Studios of the Garden.”

RCA/Victor, Atwater Kent, Kelvinator, Silex, Sylvania, General Electric, Westinghouse, Hoover, and Singer Sewing Machines were among the national brands represented at the 1934 exposition.

Sources:

“Radio-Electrical Show,” New York Times, 29 April 1934 “Flash from Bird to Open Radio Fair,” New York Times, 19 September 1934 “Attendance Gains at Radio Exhibit,” New York Times, 23 September 1934 “Radio Show Spurs Dealers’ Interest,” New York Times, 21 September 1935