C. Crane Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Bob Crane |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of employees | 50 (2009) |
| Website | http://www.ccrane.com |
C. Crane is a United States-based retailer specializing in electronics, headquartered in Fortuna, California. The company is primarily recognized for its unique radio and lighting products, with its GeoBulb series of LED light bulbs being particularly notable.
History
Founded in 1976 by Bob Crane, a former cabinetmaker, along with his wife Susan Crane, C. Crane originated in San Francisco, California. The letter "C" represents the middle initial shared by Bob, his wife, and their children. Initially operating as a furniture design and manufacturing firm, the business pivoted to electronics distribution in 1983 after moving to Fortuna. Their first electronic offering was the "Select-A-Tenna," produced by Intensitronics Corp. in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, designed to enhance long-distance AM radio signal reception. Marketing efforts included advertisements on late-night radio programs, which helped attract AM radio enthusiasts seeking superior antennas.
By the late 1980s, C. Crane expanded its inventory to include radios such as the GE Superadio to complement their antenna products. In the 1990s, Bob Crane shifted the company's focus toward creating proprietary products instead of solely reselling existing ones. Following the 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes, the product line grew to feature emergency radios and disaster preparedness tools like flashlights. Eventually, C. Crane began manufacturing radios in partnership with Sangean. Today, their radio division specializes in devices optimized for weak signal reception and has developed multiple products aimed at enhancing both radio and internet signal quality while maintaining high-fidelity audio performance.
GeoBulb
In 1998, the company introduced the "CCTrek" flashlight featuring two white LEDs rather than a traditional incandescent bulb. Recognizing the significant energy savings LEDs provide compared to conventional bulbs, C. Crane launched its own LED light bulb in 2001. This innovation led to the development of the GeoBulb project in 2006. The GeoBulb, an entirely LED-based bulb, was officially released on March 27, 2009. According to the manufacturer, this bulb offers a lifespan of approximately ten years while consuming just 7.5 W of power. They projected that widespread use of this bulb could reduce global energy consumption by up to ten percent.
The initial target market for the GeoBulb included public facilities requiring continuous lighting to lower expenses related to frequent replacement of incandescent bulbs. Reviews generally praised the bulb’s energy efficiency and longevity but noted drawbacks such as an unnatural light color and a higher price point compared to standard incandescent and compact fluorescent alternatives.
References
External links
- C.Crane Radios featuring Bob Crane Authored by Kirk Harnack, published October 6, 2014