Solid State AM Transistor BP-156 thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Solid State AM Transistor BP-156

Radio
1970 (designed), 1970 (made)
Artist/Maker
Sharp Corporation (designer)
Place of origin
Japan (designed)
Malaysia (made)

By the early 1960s, the term 'transistor', a component which transformed radio technology, had become a popular term for the portable radio. This is a typical pocket 'transistor' from Malaysia. The Far East specialized in cheap models for export, offering private and portable access to music, news and other broadcast programmes, when relayed through an earpiece.

The Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa and takes its name from one of the first inventions, the Ever Sharp propelling pencil, developed in 1915. Sharp is now one of the largest electrical goods manufacturers, producing both audio and visual products.


Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
Entertainment & Leisure
SCRAN
Audio Equipment
Product Design
Plastic
Personal Accessories
Object type
Radio
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Radio
  • Case
TitleSolid State AM Transistor BP-156 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Injection-moulded polystyrene
Polystyrene
Injection Moulding
Brief description
Radio, Japanese, designed and manufactured by Sharp Corporation, 1970
Physical description
Pocket-sized, battery-powered transistor radio. Oblong, with red plastic back and silver plastic face. On the front is a circular red plastic speaker grille. At the top, a plastic wrist strap is held by a metal ring.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.5cm
  • Width: 6cm
  • Depth: 3.5cm
  • Weight: 171g
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
  • 8. RADIO: SHARP ‘BP-156’ 1970 The development of the transistor and improvements in plastics technology allowed radios to become more transportable and cheaper to manufacture. The term ‘transistor’ even became a synonym for portable radios. The small and light, pocket-sized radios enabled people to enjoy broadcast programmes while on the move. Japan Designed by the Sharp Corporation Made in Malaysia Plastics Given by Rupert’s, Ealing Museum no. W.17-1992 (2015)
  • SHARP SOLID STATE AM TRANSISTOR MODEL BP-156 Designed by the Sharp Corporation, Japan Made in Malaysia, about 1970 Plastic and alloy W.17-1992 By the early 1960s the term 'transistor', a component which had transformed radio technology, had become the popular term for the portable radio. This is a typical pocket 'transistor' from the Far East which specialised in cheap export models offering private access to pop music, news and sport when relayed through an ear-piece. [20th century gallery]
Credit line
Given by Rupert's, Ealing
Object history
Given to the V&A in 1992 by Rupert's of Ealing, acquired for the 20th century gallery [92/1377].
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
By the early 1960s, the term 'transistor', a component which transformed radio technology, had become a popular term for the portable radio. This is a typical pocket 'transistor' from Malaysia. The Far East specialized in cheap models for export, offering private and portable access to music, news and other broadcast programmes, when relayed through an earpiece.

The Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa and takes its name from one of the first inventions, the Ever Sharp propelling pencil, developed in 1915. Sharp is now one of the largest electrical goods manufacturers, producing both audio and visual products.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.17:1, 2-1992

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Record createdSeptember 25, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O48631/solid-state-am-transistor-bp-radio-sharp-corporation/
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