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I had no idea there was automatic tuning in 1939. I thought Cadillac was first in 1952. As Mr. Spock would say, "Fascinating!"
I wonder if Packards 39 use of the description "automatic tuning" is the same as the automatic tuning we think of for 52. The 39 offering had push buttons which activated a motor in the control box which moved a 7 position switch and selected individually set tuning components for one of six preselects. The 7th position was selected when the manual tuning button was pushed and returned the radio circuitry to the mechanical capacitor operated by the tuning knob.
In 52 I believe Packard and Cadillac both used essentially the same Delco signal seeking or what I would call an automatic tuning radio. Just a single bar you pushed to automatically select the next available strong station. When the bar was pushed circuitry released a pin so a spring could unwind via a governor mechanism and move the needle and tuning capacitor. When a strong station was sensed circuitry engaged the pin again to stop the spring motor and station was selected. Pushing the bar again while the needle was in motion would also stop the action. When the needle reached the end of the dial a switch was activated and a large solenoid returned the mechanism to the start position and reset the spring for the repeat action. Cadillac went one farther by also having a foot switch located IIRC, above the dimmer switch so the hands never had to leave the steering wheel.
There was something in one of the books about Nance ordering a customized version of that radio for the 53 models. I believe that was the addition of the 5 manual button selections as well as the signal seeking function. Not sure if Cadillac had that or if it was exclusive to Packard for one year.
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