Transistor Radio [National]
Maker and role
Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2007.60
Production period
Description
National Transistor Radio.
Part 1: Dark green plastic and silver coloured metal transistor radio. At the front of the radio, there is a panel at the top with a tuning screen printed with frequency numbers. Beneath it, there is a gold coloured needle to indicate the current set frequency. On either side of the panel, there is a black dial. "8 / TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / DELUXE" is engraved and painted black. Beneath this upper panel, there is a textured speaker panel perforated with small holes to allow sound through. On the upper left of it, there is a white button and in the bottom right, there is a red plate with "National" printed on it. On the left side of the radio there is two plugs for earphones and on the right, there is a white plastic switch and a metal lever with "M W/ SW 1 / SW 2" engraved next to it in gold. Along the top edge of the radio, there is a brown leather handle attached on a sliding mechanism which enabled the handle to extend when in use and sit flush against the radio when not in use. Behind the handle, there is a metal antenna which folds upwards. The back of the radio is green plastic and has ventilation slits cut into it. A metal maker's plate with "NATIONAL / 8-TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / National / T-65 / MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN" is printed. Beneath this, there is a flat head screw with "OPEN / CLOSE" embossed above it. On the right side, "EXT. ANT" is embossed.
Part 2: Brown leather case for National transistor radio. The case has panels cut out to allow access to functions on the radio as well as a grid of diamond cut outs over the speaker panel to enable sound to be heard clearly. On the front, "NATIONAL" is impressed in gold. The case is sewn on its short sides and has a dome at the top edge to secure the front and back panels. There are two domes at the back to hold the back panel to the sides of the case. The back panel is able to be folded down to enable the radio to be taken in and out of the case. "MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN" is impressed on the back. Inside the bottom of the case is lined with corduroy.
Part 1: Dark green plastic and silver coloured metal transistor radio. At the front of the radio, there is a panel at the top with a tuning screen printed with frequency numbers. Beneath it, there is a gold coloured needle to indicate the current set frequency. On either side of the panel, there is a black dial. "8 / TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / DELUXE" is engraved and painted black. Beneath this upper panel, there is a textured speaker panel perforated with small holes to allow sound through. On the upper left of it, there is a white button and in the bottom right, there is a red plate with "National" printed on it. On the left side of the radio there is two plugs for earphones and on the right, there is a white plastic switch and a metal lever with "M W/ SW 1 / SW 2" engraved next to it in gold. Along the top edge of the radio, there is a brown leather handle attached on a sliding mechanism which enabled the handle to extend when in use and sit flush against the radio when not in use. Behind the handle, there is a metal antenna which folds upwards. The back of the radio is green plastic and has ventilation slits cut into it. A metal maker's plate with "NATIONAL / 8-TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / National / T-65 / MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN" is printed. Beneath this, there is a flat head screw with "OPEN / CLOSE" embossed above it. On the right side, "EXT. ANT" is embossed.
Part 2: Brown leather case for National transistor radio. The case has panels cut out to allow access to functions on the radio as well as a grid of diamond cut outs over the speaker panel to enable sound to be heard clearly. On the front, "NATIONAL" is impressed in gold. The case is sewn on its short sides and has a dome at the top edge to secure the front and back panels. There are two domes at the back to hold the back panel to the sides of the case. The back panel is able to be folded down to enable the radio to be taken in and out of the case. "MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN" is impressed on the back. Inside the bottom of the case is lined with corduroy.
Brief History
The first commercial transistor radio was launched in 1954 by Texas Instruments, who also manufactured transistors, and I.D.E.A. The Regency TR-1 revolutionised how people listened to radios, which previously were more akin to a piece of furniture. Its development relied on the transistor, a miniaturised semiconductor developed at Bell Labs in 1947 and which came to replace vacuum tubes in electronic devices.
This National brand transistor radio, made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. in the early 1960s uses 8 transistors. It has three radio bands receiving across short wave and medium wave / broadcast frequencies.
This National brand transistor radio, made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. in the early 1960s uses 8 transistors. It has three radio bands receiving across short wave and medium wave / broadcast frequencies.
Marks
8 / TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / DELUXE Engraved
National Printed
M W/ SW 1 / SW 2 Engraved
NATIONAL / 8-TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / National / T-65 / MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Printed
OPEN / CLOSE Embossed
EXT. ANT Embossed
NATIONAL Impressed
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Impressed
National Printed
M W/ SW 1 / SW 2 Engraved
NATIONAL / 8-TRANSISTOR / 3-BAND / National / T-65 / MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Printed
OPEN / CLOSE Embossed
EXT. ANT Embossed
NATIONAL Impressed
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Impressed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited. Transistor Radio [National], 2007.60. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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