In February, 1923, my Dad bought out a small store in Norfolk.  He was only 21, had spent a year at the University of Nebraska, and had eloped with my Mother.  He retailed typewriters, phonographs and, mainly, bicycles, which he heavily promoted through racing contests.
   Later, he got very interested in radios.  He built and sold large battery-powered radios to local farmers.  He built his own test equipment and bought some components from radio's founder, Marconi.  His partner was his brother, John.  Eventually, he quit making his own radios and took on some of the early, national brands, e.g., Atwater-Kent, Crossley and Philco.  
   Dad had good luck in the late 1940's by getting the exclusive dealership for "Philco".  Philco was #1 in radio, #2 in phongraphs, and #2 in major appliances and television.
   At about this time, I was in the 7th or 8th grade and started working at Dad's store.  My job was to clean the used appliances which were traded in for new ones.  The store's new appliance sales-profits were pretty much invested in the old appliance trade-in allowance.  I didn't mind cleaning the refrigerators but the stoves (now called "ranges" for whatever reason), I despise to this day....I still am disgusted by grease and cockroaches!
   The store was a family affair:  My oldest brother was the electronics techician (and became nationally known).  My brother, Ray, and my brother-in-law, Bert handled delivery and installations.  My sister-in-law did the books.  Dad wanted to groom me to work as a salesman in the front of the store.
   So this foregoing tedium, hopefully, sets the stage for my next edition of "the store" , which will concentrate on some anecdotes that you may enjoy....