The Case:
Back in 1959 Joe Bidwell of Tucson, AZ saved his pennies to buy his first transistor radio. He still owns the Motorola and fondly remembers the freedom he felt listening to music with a radio he could fit in his pocket.
He watched the transistor revolutionize electronics, paving the way for personal computers, space travel and much more. Then about ten years ago Joe bought a Regency TR-1 at an online auction site. The TR-1 was the first transistor radio made in 1954. His has a serial number of 2067, which Joe thinks seems very low.
Joe asks History Detectives host Tukufu Zuberi to find out whether he has the oldest transistor radio in existence.
Transistor Radio Patent
Take a closer look at Regency's original patent for the transistor radio.
Related Links
Explore
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Spanish Civil War Eulogy
What can this faded document tell about a US volunteer fighting in another country’s civil war?
-
Related Investigation
Hollywood Sign
Is this a piece of the original Hollywood sign?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Preston Brook's Riding Crop
Was this riding crop a gift from Jefferson Davis as a reward for attacking a political opponent?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Japanese Carved Cane
What can the message on this cane expose about life behind barbed wire in World War II America?
-
Also in Season 10
Rogue Book
Who did this book of rogue characters belong to?
-
Also in Season 10
Powder Horn
Who is the man etched into this powder horn?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.