I'm not a regular listener of "Suspense", but I've heard it enough times to know that the Sta-ful battery "needs water only three times a year, in normal car use". But what the hell was it?

Finally, after stumbling upon an issue of "Popular Mechanics" from September of 1951, I know the answer. This full-page ad explains how the Sta-ful battery works and what problem they were trying to solve with it.

I know this is on the periphery of OTR, but I always like understanding the context in which the shows were aired. To me, that includes understanding what was going on in the world when a show aired, and some knowledge of the products being advertised (and the songs that were popular/sung on shows with a musical component). It helps me better conceptualize how an era-listener would have experienced the show and bring the world of OTR slightly more alive.

Mods: if this is too far off the path, let me know and I'll remove it.

On October 20, 1950, Sydney Greenstreet stepped into one of radio’s great detective roles when The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe aired “Stamped for Murder.”

It was the first episode of the series, with Greenstreet bringing his unmistakable voice and larger-than-life presence to Rex Stout’s brilliant, eccentric detective.

The case begins with what looks like a treasure hunt involving old papers and stamps, but soon leads Wolfe into forged documents, murder, and a collection of stamps worth far more than anyone first realizes.

Listen to Stamped for Murder, originally broadcast October 20, 1950:

https://goldenradiohour.com/old-time-radio-episodes/the-new-adventures-of-nero-wolfe-1950-10-20-1-nanw-ep01-stamped-for-murder/

Then, on October 20, 1953, Frank Sinatra found himself in trouble aboard a luxury liner in Rocky Fortune.

In “The Shipboard Jewel Robbery,” Rocky is working as a steward when a passenger’s valuable jewels disappear.

Things get much worse when a ship’s doctor is murdered and Rocky finds himself framed for the crime.

The solution involves stolen jewels, an injured arm, a plaster cast, and a scheme that nearly works perfectly.

https://goldenradiohour.com/old-time-radio-episodes/rocky-fortune-the-shipboard-jewel-robbery-1953-10-20/

And on October 20, 1947, Quiet, Please aired “Pavanne: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair.”

A man named Andrew begins hearing the voice of a little girl.

There is only one problem.

He can hear her, but he can never see her.

What begins as curiosity slowly becomes something much stranger as he tries to discover who, or what, he has been hearing.

https://goldenradiohour.com/old-time-radio-episodes/quiet-please-1947-10-20-20-pavanne-the-girl-with-the-flaxen-hair-1947-10-20/

Sydney Greenstreet beginning his run as Nero Wolfe. Frank Sinatra trying to clear himself of murder aboard a luxury liner. And Quiet, Please turning the voice of an unseen little girl into something deeply unsettling.

That’s October 20 in radio.

Explore more broadcasts from October 20:

https://goldenradiohour.com/on-this-day/?date=10-20

Listen anytime with the Golden Radio Hour app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goldenradiohour.radio

Detective show, first time really listening to it pretty good actually! Anyone else like it?