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Washington, D.C., 1931. "National Broadcasting Co." A parabolic microphone, maybe, or high-tech salad bowl. Harris & Ewing glass negative. View full size.
Known for his subtle sarcasm, Joe had grown weary of his callers' constant queries of, "Can you hear me now..?"
The box with the microphone on its side contained a three-tube preamplifier.
http://uv201.com/Microphone_Pages/rca_condenser.htm
The microphone cable and headphone wires head off screen, which means the electronics are elsewhere. No doubt a unit of this type would be useful at political conventions, inaugurations, etc. Basically, a telephoto lens for radio.
Here's a shot of a similar NBC device at the 1932 Roosevelt convention.
The black box with the NBC logo is an RCA type 4A microphone, so that has to be a parabolic reflector. Pretty sophisticated for 1931. The man's headphones are another clue.
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