A unique museum
The restored Old Match Factorty (Tändsticksområdet) in Jönköping houses Sweden’s largest radio museum, whoses collections include more than 3000 (of which 1000 is on display ), radio sets, TV:s, VCR:s, Mobile phones, accessories and much more, as well as literature and service documents.
The founder
Erik E Karlson (1908-1997), founder of the museum, was born in nearby Huskvarna. In 1923, at age 14, he built his first radio receiver. Om March 3, 1925, he opened one of Sweden’s first specialized radio stores. 3 months earlier, Radiotjänst – forerunner of the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation (Sveriges Radio) – had started its broadcasts. In other words, Mr Karlson’s own radio-related history stretches back as far as Sweden’s.
The museum
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In 1988, the Radio Museum opened in Tändsticksområdet – once the center of Sweden’s important safety match industry – with support from the Municipality of Jönköping. In addition to its extensive collection of radio receivers, the Museum displays:
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Loudspeaker equipment and microphones that have been used by many celebrities.
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Historical radio broadcasting equipment.
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Sound recording devices from Edison’s wax cylinders to modern CD.
- Exhibits on television history, including early TV sets and a personal account of a pioneering TV broadcast in London in 1937.
The foundation
The Erik E Karlson Radio and Technology Museum is operated by an foundation whose Board members include representatives of the Municipality of Jönköping, The Jönköping County Museum, Swedish Broadcasting in Jönköping and the Jönköping Engineering Association.
