St. James Laboratories Inc.
845  Washington Blvd., Chicago, Illinois (1925 - 1927)

Brands: Oscillector, Two-Forty

St. James Labs (Chicago, 1920s) emerged from founder Robert St. James' passion for radio. Before WWI, he ran an amateur station and trained thousands in radio at Harvard during the war. Leveraging this expertise, he established St. James Labs, known for its superheterodyne designs, particularly unique glass-enclosed IF transformers. These boasted air core windings, dehydration for consistent performance, and matched pairs for optimal function.

The first style (pre-1925) had green/white coils in a red glass envelope. The "Two-Forty" (late 1926) improved on this with lower resistance windings, simpler operation, and 240 kilocycle operation. Beyond transformers, the company offered the St. James Oscillector Unit and R.F. Choke Coil. Though not a household name today, St. James Labs' innovative designs, especially the vacuum-sealed transformers, played a role in shaping early radio technology.

St. James Laboratories: A Pioneer in Radio Frequency Transformers (Early 1920s - Late 1920s)

From Amateur Radio Enthusiast to Industry Leader:
Robert T. St. James, known as "Bob" to his friends, wasn't just interested in radio – he was passionate about it. Even before World War 1, he honed his skills by operating an amateur radio station for several years. This expertise landed him a critical role during the war: leading the First Division Naval Radio School at Harvard, where he trained an impressive 12,000 men.
It's no surprise then, that after the war, Bob leveraged his knowledge to establish his own company: St. James Laboratories in Chicago, Illinois. While the company's exact lifespan is unknown, it appears to have been active in the mid-1920s. [1]

St. James' Legacy: The Superheterodyne Transformers
Today, St. James Laboratories is best remembered for its innovative superheterodyne designs, particularly their unique, glass-enclosed IF transformers. These transformers were a marvel of their time, boasting several key features:

• Air Core Windings: Eliminated the potential for core losses associated with traditional iron core transformers.
• Dehydration: Through a vacuum process, moisture was removed from the coils, ensuring consistent performance regardless of atmospheric conditions.
• Matched Pairs: Each transformer came with its partner, precisely matched for optimal performance.
• Silver Soldered Connections: Ensured reliable and long-lasting electrical connections.
• Colorfully Distinctive: The first style featured green and white coils within a red-topped glass envelope.

Evolution of the Design:
St. James Laboratories continuously improved their transformers. Here's a timeline of their innovations:

• Pre-1925: The first style was introduced, emphasizing its perfect matching, air core design, and permanent dehydration. [2]
• Late 1926: The "Two-Forty" model arrived, offering several improvements:
  • Reduced resistance in the windings for better stability and amplification.
  • Elimination of the filter stage for simpler operation.
  • Increased efficiency and more robust construction.
  • Operation at 240 kilocycles, minimizing oscillator repeats.
  • Improved overall system synergy from antenna to speaker. [3]

Beyond Transformers:
While the transformers were their signature product, St. James Laboratories also offered other radio components, such as the St. James Oscillector Unit and the St. James R.F. Choke Coil. [4]

A Legacy of Innovation:
Although St. James Laboratories may not be a household name today, their contribution to early radio technology is undeniable. Their focus on innovative design, particularly the unique vacuum-sealed transformers, helped shape the evolution of radio technology in the 1920s

[1] Duane Bylund website accessed June 2024.
[2] Everybody's Radio Weekly Oct 17, 1925, Page 13.
[3] Radio Digest Feb 1927, Page 21.
[4] Everybody's Radio Weekly Oct 24, 1925, page 12.