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RE: Andrea/FADA
In 1920 Frank A D Andrea started a company called F A D Andrea, Inc. At this time the only products were radio parts. He used his initials as the brand name, FADA. In 1922/23 he produced his first complete radio and was one of the early producers of the popular Neutrodyne sets under the Hazeltine patent. Expansion was explosive and FADA was in the top five by the late 1920's. In about 1930/31 he formed a new company called FADA Radio and Electric Corporation and was President. In 1932/3 he retired and sold this company to a Boston group of investors. They did not last long and FADA was in bankruptcy. A New York group bought the company from the court and changed the name to FADA Radio and Electric Company, Inc. This company under the leadership of Jacob M Marks lasted until the late 1950's. They never got into color but I did see a prototype using the Lawrence tube in the mid 1950's. Patent searches will show some assignments that do not seem related to electronics in 1958.
Meanwhile Frank Andrea Sr., a millionaire, apparently did not like retirement and was back in business producing radios for export only. I am guessing that this was probably due to a non compete clause in the sale of FADA as around 1937 under the corporate name of Andrea Radio Corporation and the brand name of Andrea he re-entered the US market. In 1938 Andrea produced their first television the 1F5. Produced defense products during WWII receiving numerous awards. Back into consumer goods in 1946/47. Still heavy in defense products including the intercom system used in our first into space trip. In the '50's, '60's, '70's, Andrea produced a complete line of upscale consumer products including portable and console record players plus B&W and color TVs in some beautiful cabinets. Company is today headed by Douglas Andrea, great grandson, and is more of an OEM supplier but does have some computer related microphones and headsets. Still producing products that are a leader in their chosen field.
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