CENTENNIAL OF ARRL’S 1921 CONVENTION By David Bart, RCA Fellow, Director, Life Member In September 1921, the ARRL held its first annual convention. Today, the topics still seem fresh; and, they preceded immediately the conduct of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests (see related articles). Congratulations to ARRL on both events!!
ARRL In September 1921, the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) met in Chicago for its first national convention at the historic Edgewater Beach Hotel on the shores of Lake Michigan. Founded by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska in 1914 as a spin-off from the Radio Club of Hartford, the organization resumed operations after a hiatus during World War I. Prior to the war, in December 1915, the ARRL published the first issue of its principal magazine, QST. A year later, the ARRL attained its 1,000th member. By 1921, ARRL operated as the leading organization promoting and defending the interests of amateur radio operators nationwide. The number of amateur operators swelled from 6,000 before World War I to 10,800 in 1921. That year, from August 31 through September 3, over 1,200 amateur radio operators and more than 50 industry exhibitors met in their first convention. QST provided news about the four-day extravaganza
in its August, September and October 1921 issues. Subsequent issues offered additional coverage.
THE CONVENTION The sprawling convention spread out from the Edgewater Beach Hotel to other sites within a few blocks. A national radio show convened at the 6th Regiment Armory on Broadway, then the largest and most modern exhibition hall in Chicago, featuring more than 50 exhibitors and displays. The armory also hosted educational sessions. ARRLs meetings were held at the nearby Swiff School. The Sheraton Plaza Hotel provided additional meeting space. The exhibit hall filled the Armory, which was capable of hosting 8,000 people when used as a dance floor. Displays included new inventions, featuring Formica Insulation, new transformers and Remler products. Hammond Radio Equipment and Jewell Electrical Instrument showed their new meters, while Precision Equipment featured its new receiver. Klitzen demonstrated its new transmitters. The still young Radio Corporation of America operated a double booth. The U.S. Dept. of Commerce, the U.S. Army Signal Corps and U.S. Navy provided major displays. Liberty Radio Supply, Manhattan Electric Supply Co. and many others helped fill the hall. The range of exhibitors at the National Radio Show included the most recognized names in the business: Amrad, Association of Manufacturers of Radio Equipment, Acme, Murdock, Clapp-Eastham, Westinghouse, American Radio Sales and Service, Adams Morgan, Chicago Radio Laboratories (Zenith), Crosley, A.H. Grebe, Federal Telephone & Telegraph, Commonwealth Edison and many others. In addition to the impressive exhibits, the convention’s daily offerings included automobile and motor-bus tours of Chicago, yacht and motor-boat rides on Lake Michigan, hydro-aeroplane trips and swimming, tennis and golf facilities available at the hotel.
FOUR DAYS OF PROGRAMS The first day brought welcome addresses by the Mayor’s office, Cook County Board plus the local ARRL hosting organization. Herbert Hoover, the spokesman for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, sent the opening Radiogram. The U.S. Department of Commerce Chief Radio Inspector W.D. Tarrell, Lieutenant Parmenter of the U.S. Navy, Cover of QST, September, 1921.
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