Part 2/11:
The 1930s introduced the RCA model 245 Radiola, a mammoth wooden console that did more than just play music—it made users feel as if they were living in the future. It played 78 RPM records and AM radio, with features like automatic record changing, which seemed almost magical at the time. This was the first instance of a lifestyle hi-fi product, which wasn't just about sound quality but about status and class. Middle-class families bought these consoles in droves, making it the grandfather of modern hi-fi furniture. However, this technological marvel was soon overshadowed by the demands of wartime.