Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988). <em>Radio Nurse</em>, Designed in 1937. ca. 1938. Bakelite plastic, 8 x 6 1/2 x 6 in. (20.3 x 16.5 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 88.67. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.67_view1_bw.jpg)

Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988). Radio Nurse, Designed in 1937. ca. 1938. Bakelite plastic, 8 x 6 1/2 x 6 in. (20.3 x 16.5 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 88.67. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.67_view1_bw.jpg)

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Radio Nurse

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

DESIGNER Isamu Noguchi, American, 1904–1988

MANUFACTURERS Zenith Radio Corp., 1918–1984; Kurz-Kasch Inc.; Chicago Molded Products Corporation, founded 1919

MEDIUM Bakelite plastic

Place Manufactured: Chicago, Illinois, United States

DATES Designed in 1937. ca. 1938

DIMENSIONS 8 x 6 1/2 x 6 in. (20.3 x 16.5 x 15.2 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Molded stamp on back: "ZENITH / RADIO / (figure in bed) / NURSE / DESIGNED BY NOGUCHI / Patent APPLIED FOR / 117 VOLTS 50/60 CYCLE 25 WATTS / ZENITH RADIO CORP. , CHICAGO"

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 88.67

CREDIT LINE Designated Purchase Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION "Radio Nurse," molded plastic Bakelite. A short wave radio, cast in two halves, front and back, creating a spherical object resembling a masked human head. Front has molded horizontal slats (microphone receiver) covered internally with brown fabric; top has a decorative element consisting of a segment-shaped projecting strip aligning with, and eventually merging with, the radio back. Lower extremities of back form two legs, which are reinforced with cylindrical brown Bakelite cross-stretcher, secured by metal screws. Back has eight molded, vertical air vents. Bottom has rectangular opening, which accommodates a brown rubber electrical cord flanked by a vertical vent on either side, and followed below by a rotating circular volume control knob. CONDITION: Radio: excellent, little rusting and oxidation around screw heads; rubber electrical cord is dried and cracked overall.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988). Radio Nurse, Designed in 1937. ca. 1938. Bakelite plastic, 8 x 6 1/2 x 6 in. (20.3 x 16.5 x 15.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 88.67. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.67_view1_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 88.67_view1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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