This is the first transistor radio designed and manufactured by the Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. Ltd. (Toshiba) of Japan. In the following decades Japanese corporations developed a formidable reputation for the production of well-designed and cheap electronic consumer products.

This particular radio was a gift from the donor's father who was based in Jakarta (Qantas area manager) at the time. This was fortuitous as this model transistor radio was only available to the domestic market and very few examples exist outside of Japan.

Although the company known since 1978 as Toshiba has existed in various forms since the later half of the 19th century what occurred during the middle of the 20th century was pivotal in shaping the present state and activities of Toshiba. Toshiba's first transistor product - the 6TR-127 - heralds the era of consumer product design and manufacture with this cheaper and smaller electronic component and helps focus the company upon its strategies for growth over the next fifty years.

Presently (2002) Toshiba's main products and services are based upon the design and application of microprocessor technology - the large-scale integration of transistor technology including; Computers, Peripherals and Information Equipment; Home Appliances; Information Systems; Industrial Systems, Electronic Components; Medical Systems; Power Systems Elevators & Escalators Building Systems (utilising fuzzy logic and neural net control).

Campbell Bickerstaff, 2002

The radio was designed by the Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan, 1957, and manufactured by the Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan, 1957.

The radio was used by the donor's father as a gift to the donor after it was purchased new around 1957 and used by the donor from 1957 until the late 1970s. The donor's father was based in Jakarta at the time. This model transistor was only available to the domestic market and very few examples exist outside of Japan.

Transistor radio, Toshiba 6TR-127, metal / plastic / leather / electronic components, designed and made by Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co. Ltd, Kawasaki, Japan, 1957

Portable transistor radio with green leather covered masonite case and matching handle with metal buckle. A circular speaker is mounted on the face with a metal grille. The Toshiba badge in is the middle of grille. A switch to the lower right front is marked for three positions/functions - OFF HI LOW. Two wheel controls for volume and tuning are located at either end of the tuning dial on the top. The radio stands on four metal studs. The back opens up to reveal the interior workings of the radio.

Designed: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Company;

Made: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Company; Kawasaki, Japan; 1957


Used: Jakarta, Indonesia; 1957 - 1980

Owned: Sydney

Inside rear cover stamped in the leather, in black 'Toshiba / SD-70518 / 90876-1'

Paper label inside rear cover with a diagram of details of the transistor layout and '(Japanese characters) / Toshiba / MODEL 6TR-127 / TRANSISTOR SIX / BATTERY OPERATED SUPERHETERODYNE / FREQ RANGE 540 - 1600KC / BATTERY UM-2 1.5v . . .X4 / TOKYO SHIBAURA ELECTRIC CO. LTD / KAWASAKI JAPAN / 90886'

2002/140/1

260 mm

270 mm

65 mm