Hello! I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate you on a fabulous website! Very informative and groovy to boot! I was looking at your catch all page of retro things in your home to answer all our ?’s but one thing I have had trouble figuring out isn’t on that list.

Have you ever come across info for the Nutone Home Communication Systems?

In our circa 1959 Split Level we have a seriously cool control panel in our kitchen that is supposed to receive AM radio and can be played throughout the home in the rooms that have wired in speakers.

We’re suspecting that since we can’t get sound anymore that there might be a newer component that we can slip in behind the old display. (That’s what we are hoping anyway!) We’re assuming that pneumatic tubes are quite $$$ and hard to find these days.

Have any hints for where to start looking for such a creature?

Thanks for any help you can be!

Sincerely,
Jenn M.

Jenn adds when she sends the photo:

The person in the kitchen had all the power! This is the main control unit. I can just see Maw Cleaver calling Wally and the Beav up for supper using this spiffy intercom. And curious as well, am i correct in thinking that the jack that says “phono” means one could possibly at one time have plugged in a record player to this unit? This would be great to restore–i hope someone has some ideas out there!!!

Thanks for the question, JitterbugJenn. I certainly have seen these vintage Nutone systems – in homes and also on ebay – but as far as parts to — this is another technical issue that I am going to have to turn over to Retro Renovation readers. Anyone know about these? VIntageAppliGuy???

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Regular readers know by now, that Nutone is just about my favorite company ever. If you need an exhaust fan (good idea!), there are really only two choices in my book – a vintage Nutone range top hood like this one – nice, and 42″ wide, like most vintage stoves – or, this new Nutone ceiling fan, still available in a retro look. Happy cooking!

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