Not on display

Model TR 82C

Radio
ca. 1959 (made)
Artist/Maker
Bush Radio Ltd (maker)
Ogle, David (Designer)
Place of origin
Plymouth (made)

During the 1950s social and economic changes meant that younger consumers benefited from higher amounts of disposable income. More money was available to spend on luxuries such as entertainment. Portable radios had handbag-style handles and were conceived as fashion accessories for young people, in contrast to the heavy cabinets that their parents had used. References to American automobile dash-board styling in the appearance of this radio reinforced the message of portability and versatility. It even came with a socket for a car aerial.

Object details

Categories
ELISE
Audio Equipment
Product Design
Entertainment & Leisure
Household Objects
Plastic
Object type
Radio
TitleModel TR 82C (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic case, leathercloth-covered surround, chromium trim and perspex dial
Plastic
Chromium
Perspex
Brief description
Radio, Bush Radio Ltd., TR 82C, ca. 1959
Physical description
Oblong radio, with rounded corners. Handle over the top, made of cream plastic and chromium struts. Circular dial in front with chromium trim. 'BUSH' in chromium letters on front. Dark coloured leathercloth surround on top and sides. Tuner inset in top.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Width: 28.8cm
  • Depth: 8cm
Styles
1950s
British
Production typeMass produced
Copy number
TR 82C
Marks and inscriptions
'BUSH' (on side)
Gallery label
(1992)
Twentieth Century Gallery

Bush Model TR 82C
Designed and made by Bush Radio Ltd, Plymouth, Devon, Great Britain, about 1959
Plastic case, leathercloth-covered surround, chromium trim, perspex dial
W.16-1992

This is an all-transistor 'hand-bag' portable displaying the then popular large chrome knob centred in an easy-to-read low-geared tuning dial. It was promoted as a versatile and robust outdoor radio and features a socket for a car aerial.
Historical context
Features which contrived to appeal to a younger market with vastly increased spending power greatly influenced the marketing of consumer goods during the 1950s. Portable radios had handbag-style handles and were conceived as fashion accessories for young people, in contrast to the heavy cabinets of their parents' generation. References to American automobile dash-board styling in the appearance of this radio reinforced the message of portability and versatility. It even came with a socket for a car aerial.
[Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.146]
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
During the 1950s social and economic changes meant that younger consumers benefited from higher amounts of disposable income. More money was available to spend on luxuries such as entertainment. Portable radios had handbag-style handles and were conceived as fashion accessories for young people, in contrast to the heavy cabinets that their parents had used. References to American automobile dash-board styling in the appearance of this radio reinforced the message of portability and versatility. It even came with a socket for a car aerial.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.16-1992

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O21639/model-tr-82c-radio-ogle-david/
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