Up until the 1920s most commercially made radios were imported into Australia but after this date increasing numbers were manufactured locally.

Some of the first truly compact radios produced in Australia at this time were to be found in cars but they were virtually unusable while moving due to interference from the engine and electrical system.

In 1948 William Shockley, Walter Brattain and John Bordeen invented the world's first 'transistor' and in December 1954 'Texas Instruments' and 'Industrial Development Engineering Associates' introduced the Regency TR-1 the world's first pocket transistor radio.

The Powerhouse has a small but representative collection of these milestones in audio technology.

+ Communications technology

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