Discover the Hidden Purpose of This Intriguing Vintage Badge!
December 9, 2024
Source: Etsy
The 1937 Little Orphan Annie Sunburst Decoder Badge: A Piece of Interactive Radio History
In the golden age of radio, children across America tuned in to the Little Orphan Annie show, eagerly awaiting the chance to decode secret messages from their favorite heroine. A cherished relic of that time is the 1937 Little Orphan Annie Sunburst Brass Decoder Badge—a unique blend of entertainment, marketing, and interactive fun.
What Was It?
This brass badge, with its distinctive sunburst design, featured a spinning dial numbered 1-26 around the edge, allowing fans to decode encrypted messages broadcast during the show. At its center were two intersecting keys and the iconic “A” and “S,” representing the Annie Secret Society. Above it, the year “1937” proudly marked its production.
How Did It Work?
Listeners would hear a coded message during the show, often tied to the adventures of Little Orphan Annie. By adjusting the badge’s dial according to instructions, fans could crack the code and reveal a hidden message—whether it was a clue about the storyline or a fun directive to drink more Ovaltine, the show’s sponsor.