Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Museum, National Archives & Records Administration.
WHO Microphone
Artifact ID1981.02746.01-.02
Object Type
Microphone
Gifter
Bob Harter
Maker
RCA Corporation
(Washington, DC)
Date
20th Century
Medium
Metal, Plastic
DimensionsMicrophone: 13 in. (33 cm)
Box: 18 1/2 × 11 1/2 × 7 in. (47 × 29.2 × 17.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionA microphone condenser black square shaped on a silver metal stand. Three sides of the microphone have silver letters for the station "WHO." The front side has a brown mesh circle surrounded by silver metal details. A small metal plaque on the top of the microphone states, "RCA Condenser Microphone Type 4-A-1 see license notice inside RCA Victor Company, Inc. Camden, N.J. U.S.A." The microphone stand has a gold metal engraved plaque that states, "Presented to The Honorable Ronald W. Reagan, President of the United States by the Broadcast Pioneers and Palmer Communications, Incorporated June 16th, 1981." The underside of the base is covered in blue felt. Also included is a blue felt-lined presentation case.Box: 18 1/2 × 11 1/2 × 7 in. (47 × 29.2 × 17.8 cm)
Historical NoteRCA radio condenser type 4-A-1 microphone with station WHO logo. It is the type of microphone Ronald Reagan would have used early in his career. It is lettered "PRESENTED TO THE HONORABLE RONALD W. REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE BROADCAST PIONEERS AND PALMER COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORTED, JUN 16TH, 1981." President Reagan met with the Broadcast Pioneers Group in the Oval Office on June 17, 1981. He wrote in his diary, "A half day of mostly pleasantries & a bill signing. The Broadcast Pioneers including Jack Brickhouse and the Pres. of WHO came in—presented me with and old 'mike' & a plaque. I’m now an honorary member."
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Related Exhibits
Related LinksPresident Reagan's Diary entry for Wednesday, June 17, 1981
Monday Minute: The Broadcasting Beginnings of Ronald Reagan
Monday Minute: The Broadcasting Beginnings of Ronald Reagan
Photograph: Meeting with Broadcast pioneers to receive microphone and plaque in the Oval Office 06/17/1981:
c02494-01
c02493-02
Audio Recording: Remarks by President Ronald Reagan at meeting with broadcast pioneers group. Oval Office. June 17, 1981: Remarks by President Ronald Reagan at meeting with broadcast pioneers group. Oval Office. June 17, 1981