Dates

• Usage: 1922-

Historical Note

Quincy Radio Laboratories (QRL) was founded in Quincy, Illinois by William P. Lear and businessman Julius Buerkin in November 1922. Buerkin financed the company and was president, while Lear supplied the knowledge and ran the day-to-day business. The company custom built and repaired home radios, as well as sold parts. It eventually also built antennas. Lear hired Elmer Wavering to wire radios and Irving Johnson as manager.

QRL was an innovator in that it was the first to offer a public workshop. Customers could buy parts from QRL and then use the workshop area to build their radio. Additionally, QRL was the first shop to offer home services, such as installation and repair and hook up of roof antennas, and to become a radio parts distributorship.