The Bromwell Radi-O-Trap

 

It weighs just a few ounces and measures 2 3/8 inches in diameter, and is 3/8 inches thick, not counting the binding post. On the back it bears a yellow label for Bromwell's Radi-O-Trap Aerial Eliminator>  the description continues as follows:

"Eliminates outside aerial with the same capacity as a 75-ft. aerial. Produces greater volulme - more selectivity -better tone, and in some localities will trap static... Attach (A) to the aerial post of your set. Connect (B) to the ground post of your set. (C) is connected with a long wire to the ground, which can be a radiator, water pipe, or any good ground connection."

Today we refer to parallel tuned circuits as "traps" and I think that's always been the case.  There's even an article on the topic at the ARRL. [LINK] EA4EOZ write out the instructions on building one a few years back. [LINK]  I can't see inside but what I'm expecting is a few turns of cable, like a tiny slinky.

But this device is making a somewhat broader claim on the label, and as I've now read, was something Bromwell got in a little trouble for doing back in January of 1936. [SOURCE]

This story starts with FTC case 01085, presumably from false advertising conducted in 1935 by the Bromwell Wire Goods Co., a corporation, operating as the Cincinnati Patent Engineering Co., Cincinnati, Ohio.They were selling the above described device and in an advertisement represented the following:

"The Aero-Trap will give any radio, no matter what make or how powerful, amazing new power and volume, and reduce the annoying static to a minimum. Every radio equipped with an outside aerial exposes its owner and his family to the deadly dangers of lighting striking the aerial and traveling into the room through the set. The Aero-Trap eliminates this danger. The Aero-Trap once installed * * * will last a lifetime and give perfect service without attention. When you sell the Aero-Trap you are supplying the need of a safe, sure, highly efficient radio aerial * * The Cincinnati Patent Engineering Corporation. Inventor's discovery eliminates all radio aerials. Agents' chances to earn up to $10.00 a day. New, different, sensational. Inventor's miracle discovery now eliminates all radio aerials, and gives any radio an amazing new power and clarity. Banishes forever the danger of lightning striking outside aerials * makes every radio portable without any inconvenience. Reduces static to a minimum, brings in distant stations as clear as locals. Easily attached to any radio in thirty seconds. No tools required. No holes to bore. Simple demonstration astounds prospects Write for further details. Bromwell's Radi-O-Trap aerial eliminator aerial entirely, but produces the same results as a 75-foot aerial nates entirely the danger from storms and lightning."

I've never found the above ad, but it's so verbose I'm imagining at least a half-page in some pulp comic. the FTC determined that the statements are "incorrect, exaggerated, and misleading." In fact the the device does not eliminate outside aerial, produce better tone, more selectivity, greater volume, and does not trap static or eliminate interference, and will not work on all types of radio. They ordered that Bromwell cease and desist from representing directly or otherwise: 

(a) That the Radi-O-Trap or Aero-Trap
    1. Gives amazing new power, clarity, and volume to all types of radio; or
    2. Reduces the annoying static to a minimum in all types of radio; or
    3. Eliminates or banishes all danger of lightning; or
    4. Will last a lifetime and give perfect service without attention; 

(b) That the Radi-O-Trap or Aero-Trap is a "miracle discovery"; 

(c) That the Radi-O-Trap or Aero-Trap brings in distant stations as clear as locals; 

(d) That the Radi-O-Trap or Aero-Trap will work on any and all types of radios; 

 (e) That the Radi-O-Trap or Aero-Trap eliminates the outside aerial entirely, but produces the same results as a 75-foot aerial; and from making any other claims or assertions of like import.

The record doesn't note any penalty or fine, only that Bromwell stop falsely advertising their product. I suspect that Bromwell stopped selling the Radi-O-Trap shortly thereafter because they're quite scarce today. There is little additional information available about the case, NAB made note of it in the NAB report of 1936. [LINK]

There is an entry for the Cincinnati Patent Engineering Co. in the 1924 Williams Cincinnati Directory. It's brief "Thos G. Melisjh pres, Thornton Bogert v pres, Chas Lenz secy Guy S. Cornish treas; 363 Lafayette Ave."  The State of Ohio Department report from the Secretary of State lists the company as a new corporation in 1924.

The Bromwell Brush & Wire Goods Co. Has a longer more detailed entry that confirms the companies share management, but not addresses. "Wm. B. Melish, President; Thos. G. Melish, Vice President and Treasurer; Office Room 312 Unirted bank Bldg, s.e.c. 3d and walnut, Telephones Main 3108, and factory Park 1948." Bromwell is much older, having been founded in 1989 by Jacob Bromwell. Today the company is 105 years old and the company aspires to be a lifestyle brand. Jacob Bromwell died in 1866 and missed this moderately embarrassing episode. More here.

The FTC for their part took no special notice of this case. In the Comission Decisions book it's just filed 01084 sequentially between the case against of U.S. Royal Tires and 01086 Mexican Laxative tea.