page_title: Les Hoffman
section_title: Hoffman Radio and Television
hierarchical_section_title: Les Hoffman / Hoffman Radio and Television
caption_attribution_description: English: Right after World War 2 ended Les Hoffman used designs from Mission Bell Radio Mfg. He purchased Mission Bell in 1941 when the company went bankrupt.
context_page_description: H. Leslie Hoffman, was the founder and CEO of Hoffman Radio in 1941, which in 1948 changed its name to Hoffman Radio and Television. In the 1950s he formed Hoffman Electronics Corporation, based in El Monte, California, consisting of several electronic divisions involved with consumer, industrial and military products. He was married to Elaine Stevely Hoffman. Together, in 1954 they formed the H. Leslie Hoffman and Elaine S. Hoffman Foundation, Pasadena, a philanthropic organization. He and his wife Elaine were large donors and supporters of the University of Southern California and were directly involved with its growth, academic growth and stature. Served on the Board of Trustees at USC for 17 years.
context_section_description: For a short while Hoffman would continue the Mission Bell Radio name and designs. By 1947 Hoffman started designing their own models. About 1948–1949, Hoffman began manufacturing television receivers, since RCA made their television patents royalty-free. He aggressively marketed his product regionally, trying to maintain a good regional reputation and recognizable brand name. By 1950 Time magazine writes about Les Hoffman's achievements in making Hoffman Radio and Television the largest west coast producer of televisions. In two years (1948-1950) Hoffman Radio and Television sales went from $3.5 million to almost $12 million.
  One of the reason for Les Hoffman's success was in the quality of his products. Hoffman radios and televisions were built well, using proven engineering practices and sometimes applying practices used in military electronics. Hoffman moved into color television slowly and by the late 1960s had a full line of consumer products. Hoffman would continue making televisions until 1977.
caption: One of Hoffman Radio's first products, the Model A203, sold from 1946 to 1947. One of the last Mission Bell Radio products, it was first sold as a Mission Bell brand then rebranded as a Hoffman Radio.
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