Zenith Trans-Oceanic

The Zenith Trans-Oceanic series of shortwave portables would stretch from 1941 through 1982, with tube models produced until 1963. They were characterized by heavy-duty, high-quality construction and their performance as shortwave receivers. Of the many products of Zenith Radio, the 'Trans-Oceanic' series of portable radios were among the most famous.

The Zenith Corporation was founded in 1918 by amateur radio operators Ralph Matthews and Karl Hassel in Chicago as Chicago Radio Labs. They produced and sold amateur radio equipment. In 1921 they were joined by Eugene F. McDonald, who had served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy in WWI. By 1924, the company began marketing consumer radios and in 1926 began the mass production of its first AC powered radio.

Lieutenant Commander Eugene F. McDonald asked his company's engineers to develop prototype radios that could provide entertainment broadcasts as well as being able to tune into weather, marine and international shortwave stations. By 1940 they had concept sets that were ready for production. The accepted prototype from a serious of those rejected consisted of a six button band selector from which the user could select between the AM broadcast band, and five shortwave bands ranging up to 16 MHz.