Collins Radio Co. - 1959 dated Stock Certificate - Fabulous Radio History

Stock printed by Franklin Lee Division - American Bank Note Co. Radio stocks are scarce & popular. Rare Type!

Arthur A. Collins established the Collins Radio Company in 1933 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The company specialized in the design and production of shortwave radio equipment as well as devices for the emerging AM radio broadcast sector. Collins garnered interest from the military, scientific organizations, and major AM radio stations for specialized equipment. Notably, Collins provided the necessary equipment to facilitate a communications link for Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd's South Pole expedition in 1933. By 1936, the company had initiated the production of the 12H audio console, the 12X portable field announcer's box, and the 300E and 300F broadcast transmitters. During World War II, the 212A1 and 212B1 models succeeded the 12H design, establishing Collins as the primary supplier of radio and navigation equipment for military applications, where high performance was essential.

In the years following the war, Collins Radio Company broadened its involvement across various aspects of the communications industry while enhancing its technological capabilities. Innovations such as flight-control instruments, radio communication devices, and satellite voice transmission opened significant market opportunities. The company played a crucial role in the United States' participation in the Space Race, supplying equipment that enabled astronauts to communicate with ground stations and facilitating tracking and communication with spacecraft. Collins' communications technology was integral to Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, ensuring voice communication for every American astronaut venturing into space. In 1973, the Skylab program utilized Collins equipment to maintain communication between astronauts and Earth.