The Philco model 49-901, "Bedside" or "Secretary", was made in 1948 and is a very unusual radio with no dial.
A large single control knob rolls for on/off/volume and pushes down to rotate thru preset stations.
The power indicator light changes to a different color for each station setting.
The chassis is fully enclosed in a hinged case,
with preset adjustments available thru access holes on the bottom of the radio.
A small color wheel is used to change the colors to the pilot light for different stations.
The radio was offered with an ivory or light green (painted) cabinet.
Today they are commonly found with the paint flaking off.
Beneath the original finish is a beautiful black bakelite shell seen with this example.
There are unsubstantiated stories that this radio was intended to sit on the floor under a secretary's desk,
so they could control the radio with their foot as they typed away!
The ad below does not suggest such use, but calls it a "Bedside Radio".
