The 37 is a low impedance low gain amplifier triode. One of its original intended applications was as an 'anode bend' signal detector. The 'anode bend' detector gives a reasonable audio gain with appreciably less audio distortion than the better-known 'grid-leak' triode detector. Use of the Type 37 as a detector became obsolete when superhets with AVC and double-diode-triode became the norm. However, the Type 37 lived on for another decade in its general-purpose role.
It would have been found in domestic receivers used for detectors, oscillators, amplifiers and AGC.
The box has a license sheet that refers to RCA patents and the Type designation is in a typical RCA octagon. It is thus probable that Gold Star was a part of the RCA group of brand names. Or a smaller maker taken over by RCA.
It is listed in 1951 but is removed in later information manuals.
The oval anode seen along the axis of the fixing flanges.
The anode face view. The control grid extends the base of the anode.
A closer view of the construction.
The classic envelope is 38 mm in diameter and, excluding the UX5 base pins, is 89 mm tall.
References: Data-sheet, 1040 & 1043. Type 37 was first introduced in 1936. See also1936 adverts.
