This 1960 Motorola Transistor Radio was intended for people who wanted to stash some sounds in their shirt pockets. The radio, which predated the landmark Sony Walkman by nearly 20 years, was a tiny four-and-a-half inches high, weighed eight ounces (with battery) and cost $24.95. If Motorola had figured out how to produce headphones to go with it, the personal music revolution would have begun in earnest two decades earlier. An excerpt from the ad copy:
“A new Motorola radio miniaturized to fit a shirt pocket(or purse)–yet with the power and sound you’d expect from a larger set. Powerful 6-transistor chassis pinpoints stations–holds them strong and steady. Motorola-designed 2 1/2″ Golden Voice speaker with new cone delivers rich, clear lows–crisp highs. Battery life up to 100 hours at normal volume level–2 1/2 times longer than in previous models this size. Give a look and listen at your Motorola Dealer. It’s worth the trip.”
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