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Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:28 pm
by Tyler
Btw, the term rounderbolt was for the thunderbolts that floated around that had a round fiberglass horn. So far we haven't found one and Federal doesn't have that documentation anymore but it was confirmed that federal experimented with it.
I don't know who did it but now people are calling the thunderbolts in the Ads rounderbolts which has blown the name out of proportion entirely.
Here's the post I heard it from 3 years ago:
https://airraidsirens.com/forums/viewto ... f=2&t=3200
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:17 am
by Stormsetter4
SuperBanshee wrote:CDV777-1 wrote:
I spent about an hour looking for that prototype pic on my computer yesterday. I know I saved it somewhere. If anyone has it can they please post it.
The prototype blower and rotator did look like that though I think the chopper housing was a bit rigged together. It's entirely possible that a chopper housing that looks like the one in the ad was eventually installed on that original blower and rotator.
Where did this term "Rounderbolt" come from and what is that supposed to mean? Seems like these goofy names just pop on here from nowhere.
That photo of a prototypical Thunderbolt was taken in Minneapolis in 1952 - it was taken after the Thunderbolt began production, so it is presumed Federal kept this prototype siren for testing on location. How long it lasted is anyone's guess. It's close to the artwork sketch, but not a total match. Chopper cap, horn supports, blower pipe flange, and rotator shape are different - however it does share the same rounded blower cover.
Later on, some of Federal's dealers used a normal Thunderbolt for demonstrations. It was mounted on a trailer.
"Rounderbolt" is just another juvenile nickname without any factual substance behind it.
I don't have scans of my advertisements right now, so I'll share this clipping instead.
ThunderboltDemo1979.jpg
This picture is way cool. I do believe the company that had this trailer is now called Blue Valley Public Safety, next time i'm in the area i'll stop by and ask them if they remember this, would be neat to see if it was them.
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:43 pm
by Alburnett2T22
wow, this topic is aging already lol
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:32 pm
by Tyler
Alburnett2T22 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:43 pm
wow, this topic is aging already lol
Ok? What was your reasoning to bring it up again?
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:19 pm
by Alburnett2T22
Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:32 pm
Alburnett2T22 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:43 pm
wow, this topic is aging already lol
Ok? What was your reasoning to bring it up again?
I thought I'd just repost the photocopied photo.
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:24 pm
by Chem_Boffin_6589
I'm pretty sure that this photo is one of the most viewed on this board, hence Tyler's comment (I think)
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:35 pm
by Alburnett2T22
Chem_Boffin_6589 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:24 pm
I'm pretty sure that this photo is one of the most viewed on this board, hence Tyler's comment (I think)
I guess so :/
lol
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:45 pm
by Tyler
Alburnett2T22 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:19 pm
Tyler wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:32 pm
Alburnett2T22 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:43 pm
wow, this topic is aging already lol
Ok? What was your reasoning to bring it up again?
I thought I'd just repost the photocopied photo.
You do realize that that image is everywhere practically. I've had it saved on my computer for a while.
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:05 pm
by SuperBanshee
I have one of these advertisements. It ran in the American City magazine during the 1950s. Federal led a pretty strong marketing campaign to sell the Thunderbolt during its infancy.
Re: Very First Thunderbolt Ad
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:12 pm
by Tyler
SuperBanshee wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:05 pm
I have one of these advertisements. It ran in the American City magazine during the 1950s. Federal led a pretty strong marketing campaign to sell the Thunderbolt during its infancy.
Yep. Rising popularity then decline to end in 1993 when Federal tried their very last trick to modernize the Thunderbolt. With a new rotator, compact blower, compact RCM, and FC radio. Sadly this model failed miserably due to the rising popularity of the 2001, sealing the Thunderbolt's faith selling a booming 10 units in 1993.
