Skip to main content
Back to Show
History Detectives

Early Transistor Radio

Joe Bidwell still remembers buying his first Motorola transistor radio in 1959 and the freedom he felt listening to music with a radio he could fit in his pocket. Now Joe owns a Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio model made in 1954. His has a serial number of 2067, which Joe thinks seems very low. Joe asks Tukufu Zuberi to find out whether he has one of the first transistor radios ever mad

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Season
Order of Leopold, Suffrage Pennant, WB Cartoon
55:10
A medal of high honor, pivotal women's voting rights campaign, and unsung cartoon heroes.
1775 Almanac, Exercise Records, Moon Museum
55:10
A family diary of the Revolution, a 20s media fitness guru, and is Warhol art on the moon?
Marion Carpenter Camera, Drug Smuggling Doll, Florida Map
55:10
A first in White House photography, a doll used to smuggle drugs, an early map of Florida.
Hot Town Poster, Andrew Jackson Mouth, and Modoc Basket
56:10
An angry poster from the violent 60s, reuniting a broken statue, and a heroine's basket.
Japanese Cane, Revolutionary Telescope & I.W. Baker's...
55:10
An internment camp cane, the spyglass that saw revolution and a rare gold rush relic.
Top Secret Drone, Roosevelt's War Club & Clara Barton Letter
55:10
A WWII prototype drone, a war memento for Teddy Roosevelt and a letter from Clara Barton.
Civil War Letters, Aviation Fabric & African American...
55:10
A story of two Civil War letters, mystery aviation autographs & a 1950s black comic book.
John Brown Spear, US Bullet in Siberia & Ronald McDonald...
55:10
A spear from John Brown's raid, America's Siberian war and Ronald McDonald's first suit.
Propaganda Leaflet,Tiffany Window & Spanish Civil War Eulogy
55:10
Decoding a propaganda leaflet, the women behind Tiffany and a father's forgotten tribute.
A Hero in Hawaii, Civil War Cannon & Stuntman Pioneer
55:09
A WWII hero in Hawaii, the first shot of secession, and a stuntman who changed Hollywood.
Season 8, Episode 10
55:10
WB Cartoons; Galvez Papers; Mussolini's Dagger
History Detectives Season 8
55:10
Chicago Clock; Universal Friends; War Dogs
Active loading indicator