Reichsempfänger

The Reichsempfänger was a series of low-cost radio receivers produced in Germany during the Nazi era. Introduced in 1933, the "People's Receiver" (Volksempfänger) was designed to be affordable and accessible to a wide population, making radio listening a widespread phenomenon. The most common models were the VE301 and later the improved DKE301 (DKE standing for "Deutscher Kleinempfänger," or German Small Receiver).

These radios were intentionally designed with limited reception capabilities, primarily focusing on broadcasting from the German state radio. This limitation was a deliberate policy to control the flow of information and prevent the population from tuning into foreign broadcasts, especially those from Allied nations during World War II. The Reichsempfänger became a significant tool for Nazi propaganda, disseminating official messages and ideological content directly into German households. Their widespread presence contributed to the regime's ability to shape public opinion and maintain a degree of ideological unity. The production and distribution of these receivers were heavily influenced by the Ministry of Propaganda.