Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Japan, Room 45, The Toshiba Gallery

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Portable transistor radio

Radio
1958 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In 1958, the Tokyo Telecommunications Company adopted the name 'Sony'. This radio was launched in the same year, and was Sony's first major export. It represents an early stage in Sony's development of miniaturised audio equipment, following the production of the first pocket radio in 1957.

This simple design was very popular - Sony produced almost half a million sets in four different colours. Its slim, tapered shape fits comfortably into the hand, and the volume and tuning dials are both on the same side, allowing the radio to be easily operated with the thumb. The handle pivots can be folded away underneath the radio to minimise its size, or used as a stand for hands-free listening.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Radio
  • Case
Titles
  • Portable transistor radio (popular title)
  • Model TR 610 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic and metal
Brief description
Portable transistor radio and case, Model TR 610, designed and manufactured by Sony, plastic and metal, 1958
Physical description
A small, vertical hand held radio with a black case and inset circular speaker with branding and a tuning dial, and a handle that can be folded away underneath the radio.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12cm
  • Width: 8cm
  • Depth: 4cm
63 x 106 x 25 mm Source: radiomuseum.org 8 x 12 x 4 cm Source: FWK register
Gallery label
SONY PORTABLE 6-TRANSISTOR MODEL TR 610 Designed and made by the Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, 1958 Plastic and alloy Given by Sony (UK) Ltd. W.21-1992 In 1958 the Tokyo Telecommunications Company adopted 'Sony' as its corporate name. In the same year, this TR-610 was launched as its first major export. Since then, Sony's worldwide commercial success has been maintained by combining its knowledge of Western markets with a reliance on Japanese production systems. [20th century gallery]
Summary
In 1958, the Tokyo Telecommunications Company adopted the name 'Sony'. This radio was launched in the same year, and was Sony's first major export. It represents an early stage in Sony's development of miniaturised audio equipment, following the production of the first pocket radio in 1957.

This simple design was very popular - Sony produced almost half a million sets in four different colours. Its slim, tapered shape fits comfortably into the hand, and the volume and tuning dials are both on the same side, allowing the radio to be easily operated with the thumb. The handle pivots can be folded away underneath the radio to minimise its size, or used as a stand for hands-free listening.
Collection
Accession number
W.21:&2-1992

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Record createdFebruary 8, 2008
Record URL
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