Miniwatt Philips Radio | 1931

Miniwatt Philips Radio, 1931, by A.M. Cassandre

This striking Art Deco poster features a dramatically oversized radio tube (valve) set against a split background of deep navy blue on the left and vibrant yellow on the right. The tube, rendered in shades of grey with metallic gold/bronze caps at top and bottom, dominates the composition with its elegant, streamlined form. "MINIWATT" appears in bold red lettering across the tube's central portion, while "PHILIPS RADIO" is displayed beneath it in black text outlined in white.

This 1931 poster was created during a pivotal time in radio technology history. Philips, a Dutch company, had developed their "Miniwatt" line of radio tubes in 1924, featuring innovative barium and thorium coated filaments that allowed for cooler operation and better efficiency than previous designs. The specific tube depicted is the Philips Miniwatt Type E444 diode-tetrode radio valve lamp, a crucial component for radio receivers of the era. Radio tubes are glass enclosures with a vacuum inside containing several metal elements. They work by controlling the flow of electrons between electrodes in the vacuum. When the filament or cathode is heated (either directly or indirectly), it emits electrons in a process called thermionic emission. These electrons can then be controlled by other elements in the tube to amplify signals, detect radio waves, or switch current. 

This poster represents the sachplakat (object poster) style, where the product itself becomes the central artistic focus, rendered larger than life to emphasize its importance. Philips later adapted Cassandre's design for their actual product packaging for the radio tubes.

Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron Cassandre (1901-1968) was born in Ukraine to French parents before settling in Paris in 1915. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts and Académie Julian, he emerged as one of the 20th century's most influential graphic designers. His distinctive Art Deco style was characterized by bold geometric forms, innovative typography, and dramatic perspectives influenced by Cubism and Futurism. At the time of this poster's creation, Cassandre had co-founded the Alliance Graphique advertising agency with Charles Loupot and was at the height of his career.