Atwater Kent Model 3 Breadboard (1923)

Atwater Kent Model 3 Breadboard

The Atwater Kent Model 3, released in 1923, is one of the most iconic "breadboard" radios of the early broadcasting era, so named because its components were mounted directly onto an exposed, high-finish mahogany board rather than hidden inside a cabinet. This open-air design was a hallmark of A. Atwater Kent’s early philosophy, allowing hobbyists to see the inner workings of the vacuum tube technology as they tuned into local stations. The Model 3 was a three-tube receiver that utilized a Variometer for tuning and two stages of audio amplification, providing enough power to drive a separate horn speaker rather than just headphones. While these "parts-on-a-board" sets made Atwater Kent the largest radio manufacturer in the world by 1925, the company quickly shifted toward enclosed "casket" style cabinets to suit changing living room aesthetics. The Model 3 was phased out as more integrated, multi-tube sets like the Model 10 and Model 20 took over the market, and the company eventually ceased all operations in 1936 due to the economic pressures of the Great Depression.

Donated By: John & Carol Babina