*notcot in tech , 11:09

Retro Transistor Radios- 06.15.09

samsungradio.jpg Beauty in Technology post series sponsored by Samsung’s new LED TVs! Post #1 of 6 in this new weekly series exploring random beauty in technology, NOTCOT style.

While back in Singapore i happened across some tiny transistor radios tucked away in my dad and grandmother’s various drawers… the first one was exciting enough… then it was like an easter egg hunt, i just kept finding more! Luckily he was amused enough by my fascination to let me bring them home and photograph them to share with you! The tiniest details are so cool ~ from the fonts to the patterns to the pendants dangling off some of the smaller ones. For reference, that little sony is like 2” wide! I have yet to get them working yet ~ actually while writing this, just got distracted and managed to get a few open (so pics of the insides on the next page too!) ~ and looks like i’d need some interestingly sized batteries… SO, visual research on the next page, and my question to you ~ do you know more about these? Any fun stories of having these as a kid, etc? See the gallery of close ups and insides on the next page!


radio0.jpg

radio2.jpg

radio3.jpg

radio17.jpg

radio4.jpg

radio5.jpg

radio6.jpg

radio7.jpg

radio8.jpg

radio8a.jpg

radio9.jpg

radio10.jpg

radio11.jpg

radio12.jpg

radio13.jpg

radio14.jpg

radio14a.jpg

radio15.jpg

radio16.jpg

radio16a.jpg


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8 Notes

I’d love to see some of these restored. Reminds me of Gizmodo’s comparison of Ives and Braun’s aesthethics. - http://gizmodo.com/343641/1960s-braun-products-hold-the-secrets-to-apples-future

----- A B 23.06.09 10:49

I hope it’s beautiful not because current retro trends dictate them to be.

I like the Sony one - timeless. I was half-expecting it to be a camera.

----- Sol 20.06.09 23:08

These guys have the batteries as well as adapters that allow modern batteries to be used.
http://www.discontinuedbatteries.com/index.html
Also they are in the US, shipping no problem.

----- Duff 17.06.09 08:43

Beautiful design on what was some really great tech.

You will be unable to find any mercury cells in the States. They are eco-unfriendly and have been banned for awhile. You can find sellers overseas but shipping can sometimes be an issue.

----- Tiger 16.06.09 09:53

They are beautiful.
And please don’t stuff an ipod in them.

----- Mike 15.06.09 21:32

We had one in the mid-60s that we got by saving Double Cola bottle caps. Older folks frequently commented on the number of young people with hearing disorders because when they saw the radio in someone’s shirt pocket with the ear piece in the ear, it looked like a hearing aid.

----- Til 15.06.09 20:34

It’d be pretty cool if you stuffed an iPod in one of these old shell’s. I saw that done with an old Gameboy once.

----- Ryan 15.06.09 15:24

So cool, I love the Sony one. :)

----- Joffrey 15.06.09 13:43


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