RAVAG microphone, probably used by Kurt Schuschnigg on 11 March 1938 for his resignation speech, Vienna 1938

When the Radio-Verkehrs-AG (RAVAG) was established in 1924, it ushered in a new era of media communication in Austria. Now information, announcements and speeches could be transmitted widely and quickly. This RAVAG microphone was probably used to broadcast the dramatic speech given by Federal Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg from the Federal Chancellery on 11 March 1938. His resignation was the starting signal for the seizure of power by the Austrian National Socialists. The violent harassment of Vienna’s Jewish population began that same night. The microphone remained at the broadcaster (since 1957 the ORF – Austrian Broadcasting Corporation), which resumed transmissions in the Soviet occupation zone after the end of the war.

Assoicated date: no date

Place: Vienna, Austria

Height: 21 cm

Producer: Astatic Microphone Lab INC., Ohio USA

Materials: Metal

Acquisition: Donation