Brunswick Phonographs
The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company was nearly 75 years old when it entered the phonograph business in 1916. Very shortly after entering the phonograph market, Brunswick introduced a clever tone arm and sound box assembly which could be adapted to play all three styles of disc records on the market at that time (lateral, Edison, and Pathe). Brunswick, aided by its immense cabinet factory, quickly became the number two phonograph manufacturer in the United States.
In 1925, Brunswick announced that it would produce a revolutionary new type of phonograph that used vacuum tubes and electricity to amplify phonograph records. The amplifier electronics were designed and supplied to Brunswick by RCA. The Brunswick Panatrope was displayed in concert throughout the United States and created a sensation when demonstrated. The first units were shipped in early 1926 at about the same time as similar machines from Victor. Some of the Panatropes contained only a phonograph, and other models were offered in combination with RCA Radiolas.
In early 1930 the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company sold its phonograph and radio division to Warner Brothers Pictures.