![]() In 1958, they introduced the first Navigator with the Royal 760.ġ959 saw the Royal 675 “Independence” and the Royal 710 “Yorktown” from the Americana series, as well as the Royal 755’s. The change to leather was a trend that would continue as Zenith produced several other leather lunch box sized portables over the next few years. The Royal 800 was soon replaced by two leather portables in 1957 the Royal 700 and Royal 750. This makes them quite a find today for the collector. ![]() But the popularity of the smaller Royal 500 led to the 800’s short life and limited production. They sold for $89.95 and in my opinion, that was a lot of performance for the price. Zenith made the Royal 800 in Black and also a scarce grey version. The Royal 800 was a radio that was ahead of it’s time. It is powered by 8 “C” size batteries and has a large 4″ front speaker, seven transistors, and undistorted output of 500 milliwatts (5 times the Royal 500). The Royal 800 was a lunch box sized nylon cabinet portable radio that had a pop-up handle on top that also served as the antenna. Musico,W., T.One month after the introduction of the first Royal 500 hand-wired radio, Zenith introduced their first portable transistor radio. Handy, R., Erbe, M., Antonier, A., ‘Made in Japan, Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 1960s”, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1993 The design was recognised by the Industrial Design Society of New York, and in 1955 the radio was included in the American Art and Design Exhibition in Paris. Aside from the sleek simplicity of its lines, the other standout feature was its distinctive grille, which was copied by almost all pocket radios that followed the TR-1. The radio was designed by the firm of Painter, Teague and Petertil whose final design was an excellent reflection of modernity. H5580-2 Transistor radio, plastic / metal, made by Regency Division IDEA Inc, America, 1954-1958 Over one hundred thousand, in a range of colours, were sold during its first year of manufacture. The result was the Regency TR-1, the world’s first pocket transistor radio. In July 1954 the Texas Instruments and Industrial Development Engineering Associates (I.D.E.A.) companies embarked on a six month project to produce a pocket-sized radio for the Christmas market. Capable of carrying out the same function as a valve but much smaller and not prone to overheating, the transistor opened up new possibilities for smaller radios and new directions in radio design. H5580-7 Packaging for transistor radio, paper, made by Regency Division IDEA Inc, America, 1955-1964Ī major development came in 1948 when US scientists William Shockley, Walter Brattain and John Bordeen invented the world’s first solid-state amplifier, which they named a ‘transistor’. In the 1930s and 1940s the size and power consumption of car radios decreased, while the introduction of the ferrite rod aerial improved reception. Other problems included bulky valves, overheating and high power demand, which could drain a car’s battery. They were made to be installed in cars, but were virtually unusable while moving due to interference from the engine and electrical system. Some of the first compact radios were produced in Australia at this time. ![]() The number of broadcast transmitters in Australia increased from eight in 1924 to 31 by 1930. All were battery-operated until the introduction of mains operation in1928, but the early batteries were large, as were the radios. Until the 1920s most radios sold in Australia were imported, but after that date increasing numbers were manufactured locally. It is significant for the way it combines science, design, and culture: the solid state physics that led to the development of the transistor the aesthetics and functionality of the plastic radio body and the portability that took radio out of the home and made listening to it more often an individual experience rather than a group activity. This Regency TR-1 transistor radio was one of the earliest portable radios imported into Australia. ![]() Share: Email this H5580-1 Radio, portable TR-1 radio receiver, plastic / metal, designed by Painter, Teague & Petertil, made by Regency Division IDEA Inc, USA, 1954-1956
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