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June 17, 2016
Regency’s pocket radio
A post-WWII innovation developed by Texas Instruments (which had been making devices for the Navy) and Industrial Development Engineering Associates (which previously put out television antennas for Sears), the $49.95, 3-by-5-inch, battery-powered portable was built on technology developed by Bell Labs. From the transistors that amplified the radio signal to the use of printed circuit boards that connected the components to the eye-catching design, many factors conspired to make the TR-1 a holiday must-buy after its November 1954 launch. And as revolutionary as all this tech was, it only scratches the surface of how the Regency — by ushering in truly portable communications — changed the world overnight. The 50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time | TIME
Posted by gerardvanderleun at June 17, 2016 3:24 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
No payments until 1955! Count me in!
Posted by: StephenB at June 17, 2016 12:27 PM
I received one from my dad, the gadget guy for Christmas in 1966. Thanks for pinging that memory.
Posted by: RosalindJ at June 17, 2016 3:57 PM
I remember the first calculator I bought. It barely could do square roots, forget much else. $125.00 in 1974. Now the things will compute just about anything and vacuum the house. $19.95 S&H included.
Posted by: Vermont Woodchuck at June 18, 2016 4:33 AM
I have one in the box, with the earpiece and original battery, downstairs.
Right next to the red LED calculators from TI.
Posted by: TmjUtah at June 18, 2016 8:54 AM