Home Search Subjects Locations History Comments Links About Me The Rogers Batteryless Radio Another City of Toronto Plaque Location The City of Toronto On a pillar at the front of the hotel at the SE corner of Chestnut Street and Armory Street 1 block south of Dundas Street West Plaque Photographer Alan L Brown More Information Public Library Posted March 24, 2004 Text from the Rogers Batteryless Radio Plaque In the early 1920s, radio receivers were powered by direct current from batteries that were awkward to use and needed frequent recharging. Edward S. "Ted" Rogers Sr., a Toronto radio engineer, recognized the commercial potential of a radio that could use alternating current (AC) from a household electrical system. Working in a factory across the street from here, he invented an effective AC tube, then designed around it the world's first batteryless radio receiver. Following its debut in August 1925, the Rogers Batteryless Radio was quickly copied by American and European manufacturers. The convenience and improved performance of a plug-in receiver contributed significantly to the booming popularity of radio as home entertainment.