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 in Season 10
Frank Zappa Collage
Is the artist who created this piece Frank Zappa?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Atocha Spanish Silver
What are these markings on a silver bar discovered in the wreck of a Spanish ship?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Mail Order Brides
Are these images evidence of mail order brides in 1890s Chicago?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
1856 Mormon Tale
Is this tattered book a true account of female slavery in the old West?
-
Related Investigation
Cromwell Dixon Plane Fragment
What could this faded scrap of fabric tell us about the first pilot to conquer the Continental Divide?
-
Also in Post War: 1945-1960
Leisurama Homes
What happened to the Leisurama homes apparently widely sold in Florida?
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.