Stone Vintage Radio Museum - Antique Radios, Wireless, Crystal Sets, Tubes, and Valves

The United Wireless Telegraph Company was the largest wireless company in the United States, beginning with its late-1906 formation, until its takeover by Marconi in 1912. It actually was the reorganization of the Amalgamated Wireless Securities Company, which had been started in 1904. The newly formed United Wireless company was promoted as a consolidation of the most prominent U.S. and British radio firms, combining American DeForest with the Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company. The incorporation of American DeForest was correct; United Wireless leased Deforest’s assets for $1 a year. The Marconi Company, on the other hand, roundly denounced United Wireless claims about gaining control of the Marconi companies as not true.

The new company had a turbulent start. In addition to the Marconi denunciation, in February, 1907, control of the company was gained by a group of self-proclaimed "reformers", led by stock promoter Colonel Christopher Columbus Wilson. Wilson, who had previously promoted American DeForest stock become the new company president. Later he and other company officers were indicted on stock fraud charges.

The United Wireless company put out several wireless communication pieces including the Type E Tuner pictured here. United Wireless put the Type E Tuner into production in 1911. In 1912 when Marconi took over United Wireless, the Type E Tuner was put out as a Marconi set with just a new label. The Type E was the first United Wireless set that had a loose coupler on top of the hard rubber panel. The loose coupler is of very high quality workmanship. The same detector was used both in the Type D and E Tuners; it could be detached by loosening the two knurled nuts that hold it in place.

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