The Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corp. was founded by Benjamin Abrams and his two brothers, Max and Louis, in 1922. In 1924, two years after the brothers had borrowed money to acquire the modest assets of the Emerson Record Company, the business introduced the first radio - phonograph combination. Subsequent "firsts" included a midget radio, clock radio, self-powered portable radio, transistorized pocket radio and portable air conditioner.

Emerson was known for stylish Art Deco radios, such as the early 1940's Emerson Patriot and Fada Streamliner series, which now fetch as much as $1,000 from collectors. The originals sold for $19.95 to $65.95.

In 1965 the corporation owned 20 subsidiaries and manufactured more than 100 products, among them television sets, radios, hi-fi combination, air conditioners and tape recorders. Benjamin was chairman of the board and chief executive officer and his bother Max was president of Emerson when they retired in 1966, months after the company was acquired by the National Union Electric Corp.

Abrams was born on a farm in Rumania and immigrated to the United States when he was 12. He was followed a few years later by his brothers. He tuned pianos for $3 a week, sold magazines and then entered the phonograph and record business as a salesman.

Abrams, who never attended high school, became vitally interested in educational television and in 1953 set up a $100,000 grant for 10 educational TV outlets. In 1954, an electronics laboratory in Rehoveth, Israel, made possible by his financial aid, was named for him. The Benjamin Abrams Communications Center, a completely equipped FM radio station at C.W. Post College, was made possible by Abrams' contributions.