Clairtone Sound Corporation

Identity area

Type of entity

Corporate body

Authorized form of name

Clairtone Sound Corporation

Parallel form(s) of name

    Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules

      Other form(s) of name

        Identifiers for corporate bodies

        Description area

        Dates of existence

        1958-1979

        History

        Clairtone Sound Corporation was a Canadian stereo company operating in the 1950s and 1960s. The company identified that innovative design, technology and marketing were critical strategies for exporting products and services. Clairtone became a market leader in top of the line stereos and televisions, exporting through retail outlets like Bloomindales and Macys in New York City, USA and Selfridges in London, UK. Company designers and marketing directors brilliantly positioned the G series as a Pop design. Clairtone, however, became a victim of its own success. The company suffered a spectacular fall, caused by over-expansion, lack of capital and excessive government intervention, leading to bankruptcy in 1970. Marketed as avant-garde, the Project G was the first stereo to break the console box with its globe speakers, setting the trend for "sound in the round" hi-fi listening. Winner of the Milan Triennial Silver, the use of space-age transistors over tubes allowed the cabinet to be finished on all sides without the need for ventilation ducts. The Project G and its spin off line were never big sellers. Extremely labour intensive to produce, it retailed for as much as $1600 USD. The Project G served more as a sensual three-dimensional logo for Clairtone to be promoted by such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Tuesday Wel, and Dizzy Gillespie.

        Places

        Legal status

        Functions, occupations and activities

        Mandates/sources of authority

        Internal structures/genealogy

        General context

        Relationships area

        Access points area

        Subject access points

        Place access points

        Occupations

        Control area

        Authority record identifier

        http://viaf.org/viaf/135961625

        Institution identifier

        ON00259

        Rules and/or conventions used

        Status

        Final

        Level of detail

        Full

        Dates of creation, revision and deletion

        2/28/2023 E. Thomas (Creation)
        5/29/2023 E. Thomas (Creation)

        Language(s)

          Script(s)

            Sources

            Maintenance notes