The company was founded in Chicago, Illinois as Chicago Radio Labs in 1918 as a small producer of amateur radio equipment. The name "Zenith" came from its founders' call sign, 9ZN. A third partner joined in 1921 b and Zenith Radio Company was formally incorporated in 1923.

Zenith introduced the first portable radio in 1924, the first mass-produced AC radio in 1926, and push-button tuning in 1927. It added automobile radios in the 1930s, promoting the fact that it needed no separate generator or battery, selling at US$59.95. The first Zenith TV set would appear in 1939, with its first commercial sets in 1948.

This collection includes information for every radio Zenith Corporation manufactured from 1928 to 1948 ~ Over 1400 pages of schematics and repair information.

Also included is the 1949 Zenith radio and television catalog loaded with full page photos and specifications.