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The transistor was invented in 1947 at Bell Labs in New Jersey. In 1954, Texas Instruments of Dallas teamed up with Regency Electronics (its original name was Industrial Development Engineering Associates, or I.D.E.A.) of Indianapolis to manufacture the first pocket-size transistor radio. Generally, the most collectible transistor radios are those made in Japan from 1956 to 1963 and in America from 1955 to 1960, but by the early '60s, many American companies had opted to have their radios made in Japan.
Besides the Regency TR-1, which came in 10 colors and retailed for $49.95, other collectible American brands include Zenith, RCA, G.E., Admiral, Motorola, Magnavox, Philco, Raytheon, Arvin, Sylvania, and Emerson. Collectible Japanese brands include Toshiba, Hitachi, Sharp, Standard, Sanyo, Matsushita (Panasonic), Mitsubishi, Aiwa, Realtone, Global, and Zephyr. And then, of course, there was Sony, which stunned the electronics world in 1957 with its TR-63. Although the radio utilized miniature components, Sony dramatized the radio's small size at a trade show when it had its representatives carry them in their shirt pockets. Turns out Sony had dressed its staff in shirts that had been sewn with larger pockets than normal, which is the reason why the TR-63 fit.
One desirable feature for vintage transistor radios is reverse-painted plastic, popular between 1958 and 1962. In these radios, all of the artwork is painted on the inside of the radio's clear plastic dial cover. Also desirable are brightly colored cases, including cool 1950s hues like robin’s egg blue, seafoam green, and bright red or yellow. Condition also matters to collectors. Finding a radio with its original box, leather case, earphones, owner’s manual, and warranty card or sales slip will significantly increase its value.
by Interviews & Articles
Vintage Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 60s
Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthf… [more]
Understanding Antique Radios
You've just acquired an old radio, but apart from the manufacturer's name on the front, you don't know a blessed thing about it. L… [more]
Eames, Nelson, and the Mid-Century Modern Aesthetic
As a teenager, I collected everything from vintage bicycles to Coca-Cola to Victorian stuff. Once I realized some of this stuff co… [more]
Mid-Century Modern Furniture, from Marshmallow Sofas to Hans Wegner Chairs
Mid-century Modern used the technology of mass production to produce good-looking pieces of furniture out of the latest materials.… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Michael Jack's Transistor Radio Photos
Michael Jack's great transistor radio collection includes stunning photos and great reference information on indivi… [read review or visit site]
Transistor Radio Design
James Butters' fun and creative website focusing on the design of 1950s and 60s pocket transistor radios. Highlight… [read review or visit site]
Radio Wallah
Alan Kastner's transistor radio site was one of the original go-to websites for radio enthusiasts, and it offers an… [read review or visit site]
Fifties Radio: Early Transistor Radios
This site features colorful images of Japanese and American-made transistor radios from the 1950s. Before diving in… [read review or visit site]
M31 Galaxy of Transistor Radios
Robert Davidson's great site (galaxy, really), one of the earliest transistor radio sites on the web, features over… [read review or visit site]
Sarah's Transistor Radios
Sarah Lowrey's collection of over 1000 radios you wish you could take to the beach. Viewable alphabetically by make… [read review or visit site]
The Mid Century Modernist
Stephen Coles' really visual blog dedicated to the Modernist era of design from 1940 to 1970 (aka Mid-century Moder… [read review or visit site]
Jim's Antique Radio Museum
Jim Tripp's showcase of radios from the 1920s to late 1950s, organized by style and theme (wood, console, plastic, … [read review or visit site]
The Radio Attic's Archives
This photo gallery of over 7800 vintage radios, categorized by manufacturer and model number, is a group effort wit… [read review or visit site]
Herman Miller Consortium Collection
This website showcases several hundred pieces of furniture, held by thirteen museums, that were designed for Herman… [read review or visit site]
EamesCollector.com
Steven Cabella's personal homage to Charles and Ray Eames. This site is as clean and visually appealing as the Eame… [read review or visit site]
AntiqueRadios.com
Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]
Work of Charles and Ray Eames
This Library of Congress microsite is an overview of the postwar modern design work of Charles (1907-78) and Ray (1… [read review or visit site]
Radiomuseum.org
This vast archive and community of radio collectors features over 120,000 radio model listings and 350,000 photos a… [read review or visit site]
Phil's Old Radios
This extensive collection of antique radios includes beautiful photos and detailed historical descriptions. The sit… [read review or visit site]
Classic Modern
Get a taste of how homes were lit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s with the Danish retro-style lighting designs featured on… [read review or visit site]
Radiophile.com
John Pelham's collection of wood and plastic radios from the 1930's and 40's. What sets this site apart is the deta… [read review or visit site]
Radio-Guy
Steve Erenberg's extremely wacky and well-done collection of vintage mad-scientist devices and contraptions. Writte… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Radios
- Mid-Century Modern League
- Antique Wireless Association
- Southeastern Antique Radio Society
- New Jersey Antique Radio Club
- British Vintage Wireless Society
- California Historical Radio Society
Discussion Forums: Radios
Other Great Reference Sites: Radios
Top eBay Auctions
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Recent News: Transistor Radios
Source: Google News
A modest privacy proposal - The Post Star
Glens Falls Post-Star, May 17thSome good news: You can absolutely listen to a transistor radio, if you can find one in working order. Lastly, you might trust your sweet, adoring spouse and your children, but they probably keep pretty good track of your movements, and well, it's an...Read more
The Pippas of their day! they were the aristocratic beauties who almost stole ...
Daily Mail, May 17thAn annexe had been built on to the Abbey where the four taking part in the procession but who did not travel in the coach could drink coffee and listen to the radio commentary of the Queen's journey from Buckingham Palace. After walking her up the...Read more
Blog: Why this bridge brings back all my yesterdays
shropshirestar.com (blog), May 17thWe had a transistor radio with us and whenever there was an interruption to the signal, we reckoned it was due to an alien spacecraft being nearby. We also took torches, a notebook, and sandwiches. It was very well organised. Did we spot a flying...Read more
Tech Gets Phones On Your Wavelength
Discovery News, May 16thThe new technology has the transistor built in. So when it turns on and off, there isn't the noise added to the signal. Since there's no noise, it's easier to for it to “hear” higher-frequency radio transmissions. Most resonators only work with a...Read more
Hardware Makes Frequency-Hopping Radios Practical - Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory Equipment, May 16thDifferent proposals for cognitive radio place different emphases on hardware and software, but the chief component of many hardware approaches is a bank of filters that can isolate any frequency in a wide band. Researchers at MIT's Microsystems...Read more
Evacuation volunteers fan out in Bangladesh
IRINnews.org, May 16thTo receive meteorological storm warnings, each of the 3,291 unit team leaders is provided with a transistor radio. To disseminate warning signals within the community, each team, comprised of 15 volunteers, is given a megaphone, a hand siren, a flag...Read more
Mike Marshall: Smilin' Jack is gone - Auburn - 247Sports
AuburnUndercover.com, May 16th“I was living in Mag dorm (Magnolia Hall), and listened to it on a transistor radio.'' Then Cameron did his best “Smilin' Jack' impersonation: “Georgia Tech, number six in a row.'' Smollon's obituary in The Opelika-Auburn News said he was a veteran of...Read more
No wind left in the sail of this Astros' fan
Houston Chronicle (blog), May 15thDoug Rader, Jimmy Wynn, Fred Gladding and Roger Metzger. If you've followed this blog over the years, you know some of my favorite memories are centered around listening to Gene Elston and Loel Passe on a little transistor radio. Late at night...Read more