Sparton Model 566 "Bluebird" Blue Mirror Radio (1936)
The celebrated Sparton "Bluebird" 506/566 was styled
by industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague in 1934/5.
Late 1935 saw the introduction by Sparton of both the
Bluebird and the highly coveted Nocturne, truly one of
the holy grails of radio collecting. The "Bluebird" first
appeared as model 506, but later production was of the
566, following some minor chassis safety improvements.
Otherwise the two versions look the same. The original
purchase price of the Bluebird was ~$39.95 - $44.50.
What impression was designer Teague attempting to
convey with this radio? Who really knows. However some
have likened the radio to a tri-plane, with a single
spinning propeller and landing gear, flying against a
clear blue sky. It's an idea that's easy to go along with!
The radio features a 14-inch round mirror formed out of
blue-tinted glass with chrome accents and knobs. The
electronics is housed in a rear cab (see below), with a
forward facing loudspeaker. The rear of the mirror is
protected by a thin sheet of felt. The whole is supported
by a "low base of ebony finish".
The Bluebird is sometimes seen today sitting atop a 14"
round platter made from a matching blue mirror. Early
advertising almost always shows the Bluebird with this
platter present, though most of them turn up without it
today.
by industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague in 1934/5.
Late 1935 saw the introduction by Sparton of both the
Bluebird and the highly coveted Nocturne, truly one of
the holy grails of radio collecting. The "Bluebird" first
appeared as model 506, but later production was of the
566, following some minor chassis safety improvements.
Otherwise the two versions look the same. The original
purchase price of the Bluebird was ~$39.95 - $44.50.
What impression was designer Teague attempting to
convey with this radio? Who really knows. However some
have likened the radio to a tri-plane, with a single
spinning propeller and landing gear, flying against a
clear blue sky. It's an idea that's easy to go along with!
The radio features a 14-inch round mirror formed out of
blue-tinted glass with chrome accents and knobs. The
electronics is housed in a rear cab (see below), with a
forward facing loudspeaker. The rear of the mirror is
protected by a thin sheet of felt. The whole is supported
by a "low base of ebony finish".
The Bluebird is sometimes seen today sitting atop a 14"
round platter made from a matching blue mirror. Early
advertising almost always shows the Bluebird with this
platter present, though most of them turn up without it
today.
A link to a close-up of the dial on my 566 is provided to the right above. Note however that there are variations on the dial design, one of which
features a winged bluebird rather than the map of the world. The 506 and 566 were also available in peach/copper tinted glass, with copper-
plated trim pieces rather than chrome. These models have become (and perhaps originally were) known as "peachbirds".
While on the topic of variations, there is a Canadian model (154B) that features a peaked cab housing an upward rather than forward facing
loudspeaker. Apparently Canada had more stringent safety requirements than the USA at the time, necessitating the employment of an
ac-powered chassis with a power transformer - the accommodation of which forced the use of the larger cab and re-oriented loudspeaker. Yet
another Canadian version was made using non-tinted mirror glass.
These blue mirror radios present a unique challenge to the photographer in that their appearance changes with the ambient lighting. This very
same characteristic also makes the radios interesting to live with! Here's another view.
features a winged bluebird rather than the map of the world. The 506 and 566 were also available in peach/copper tinted glass, with copper-
plated trim pieces rather than chrome. These models have become (and perhaps originally were) known as "peachbirds".
While on the topic of variations, there is a Canadian model (154B) that features a peaked cab housing an upward rather than forward facing
loudspeaker. Apparently Canada had more stringent safety requirements than the USA at the time, necessitating the employment of an
ac-powered chassis with a power transformer - the accommodation of which forced the use of the larger cab and re-oriented loudspeaker. Yet
another Canadian version was made using non-tinted mirror glass.
These blue mirror radios present a unique challenge to the photographer in that their appearance changes with the ambient lighting. This very
same characteristic also makes the radios interesting to live with! Here's another view.
Technical Details
The radio features a modest ac/dc powered super heterodyne chassis
covering standard broadcast and shortwave. The bandswitch is found
at the rear. Tube line-up is 78 (LO/mixer), 78 (IF), 75 (2nd
detector/AGC/1st AF), 43 (AF output), 25Z5 (rectifier). A resistive
"curtain burner" line cord is employed. Schematic, for the 506, here.
The radio features a modest ac/dc powered super heterodyne chassis
covering standard broadcast and shortwave. The bandswitch is found
at the rear. Tube line-up is 78 (LO/mixer), 78 (IF), 75 (2nd
detector/AGC/1st AF), 43 (AF output), 25Z5 (rectifier). A resistive
"curtain burner" line cord is employed. Schematic, for the 506, here.
..beautiful circle of rich, dark, midnight blue mirror surface slants backwards at an artistically correct angle..
..concealing a dependable five-tube radio receiver of finest design and construction.
"The repertoire of the Bluebird embraces not only the usual broadcast programs, but interesting
police, airplane and amateur events as well."
police, airplane and amateur events as well."
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