RCA

RCA, the Radio Corporation of America was not only a major player in tubes, but probably had as much or more impact on our electronic lives than any other company for many years.
Writing was almost always red in later years and white in earlier years. Mfg EIA code was 274, although they almost never used it on their own tubes. You would only see it on tubes they made for someone else. Date codes were year-week, with or without the dash in earlier years and 2 letter codes in later years. Transmitting and special purpose tubes used the year-week code even into the years when receiving tubes had the 2 letter code. Also in later years, the 3 letter Sylvania code began to show up on tubes as RCA did less of their own manufacturing and more purchase from the other major manufacturers.

		Believe it or not, the two views to your left are the same box. Two sides RCA, two sides Cunningham. For a thumbnail of the varied and sordid RCA-Cunningham relationship, check the Cunningham page (link below). To the right are two different RCA Victor boxes. Both show Nipper, the famous RCA dog. Boxes in this table courtesy of Bob Ellingson

	This unique RCA box never passed through my hands. Thanks to Ronaldo Knaapen for sending it.

RCA was always a first line, quality tube line, even after their purchase by Thomson-CSF, creating Thomson Consumer Electronics. The special-purpose and transmitting tube divison of RCA did not go to Thomson. That division became known as BURLE Industries and is still active in special purpose tubes. I guess Thomson did not need them, as Thomson-CSF is an international major force in special purpose tubes from their European home bases.

RCA is definitely a name that will be recorded in the history of tubes!
For a history of RCA/RCA Victor, go here: Wikipedia on RCA