The Surprising Link Between Hespeler Furniture and Classic Radios

Did you know that the beautiful cabinets of some vintage radios were crafted by a furniture company? While the Hespeler Furniture Factory is well-known for its furniture, its role in radio history is less commonly known. Although the company is no longer in business, having closed its doors in the 1970s, the building still stands.

Hespeler's Role in Radio Cabinet Production

The Rogers Majestic Company of Toronto, an early radio manufacturer, used Hespeler Furniture cabinets for their radios. These cabinets housed some of Rogers Majestic's early models. The connection between these two companies is a fascinating part of Canadian industrial history.

Identifying a Hespeler-Made Cabinet

Not all Rogers Majestic radios had Hespeler cabinets. Other companies, such as Knechtel Furniture Co. Ltd. of Hanover, ON, also made cabinets for Rogers, and DeForest-Crosley produced similar models, adding further confusion. So how can you tell if your radio cabinet was made in Hespeler?

Look for a Hespeler Furniture Company tag or marking on the back of the cabinet. These markings can vary, but the presence of the Hespeler name is a tell-tale sign. One example of a tag can be seen on a radio cabinet.

Specific Radio Models and Hespeler

• One notable radio that used a Hespeler cabinet is the Rogers Majestic Radio Model 8M1092 from the 1930s, featuring shortwave bands and AM, with the cabinet being Model No. 8106.
• Another example is the Rogers 12-126 "Teledial" model with automatic tuning, an RT neon voltage regulator tube, a 6X6 tuning indicator tube, and a 6F7M phase inverter. This model also featured a telephone dial and an illuminated glass slide rule rolling pin dial window.
• The factory also made cabinets for the Stewart Warner Radio Model 401; according to a worker's diary, they were producing 300 of these at one time.

The Mystery of Production Numbers

Unfortunately, no records exist to determine how many radio cabinets were made at the Hespeler Furniture Factory. This makes each surviving radio with a Hespeler-made cabinet a unique piece of history.

Check Your Vintage Radio

If you have an old radio, examine the cabinet closely for a label or tag indicating it was made by the Hespeler Furniture Factory. You may have a piece of this history in your home. The connection between a furniture company and early radios highlights the diverse manufacturing landscape of the time.