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
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in this episode Continental Club Card What secrets can this business card reveal about glamour and vice in 1930s Los Angeles?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi Florida Map How did this faded map help unlock the riches of the New World?
-
Also in Post War: 1945-1960 Leisurama Homes What happened to the Leisurama homes apparently widely sold in Florida?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi The Disappearance of Glenn Miller In 1944, bandleader Glenn Miller boarded a plane for Paris and was never seen again. What happened?
-
Also in Season 10 WWII Patch What is the story behind these patches?
-
Related Investigation Seadrome Did floating airports dot the Atlantic before modern air travel?
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.