Sci-Fact: Happy Birthday TR-1

World’s First mass produced transistor radio is 50 years-old

Fifty years ago Texas Instruments and Regency launched the TR-1. The invasion of the transistor into consumer goods had begun. Before the TR-1 radios used finicky vacuum tubes. Suddenly you could buy a portable radio that fit in your pocket. Hello George Jetson the future is now. Jump here to see the TR-1 anniversary page.

Growing up I made an amazing discovery about transistor radios and water – the radios were remarkably waterproof the first time it was submerged. I had two different radios get submerged in river water. Once thoroughly dried they WORKED! They failed to work after a second submersion.

Whatever happened to Tuesday and so slow
Going down to the old mine with a transistor radio.
- from the song "Brown Eyed Girl" performed by Van Morrison (c) 1967