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Transistor Radio Turns 50

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the led-to-other-things dept.

theodp writes "Before the iPod, there was the Regency TR-1. Fifty years ago Monday, tiny Indianapolis-based I.D.E.A. partnered with TI and shook the world with the first pocket-sized AM radio, so impressing IBM chief Tom Watson that he provided a $49.95 (roughly $345 in current dollars!), four transistor TR-1 to each of his senior managers to kick-start the company's transition from valves."

3 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Inflation by Morkano · · Score: 5, Insightful
    he provided a $49.95 (roughly $345 in current dollars!)

    Wow. What struck me most about that article is how much inflation there's been in 50 years. Thats 700%! I don't know about you, but to me that's just insane.
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    Victory or awesome!
  2. $345! by Russ+Nelson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You say $345 with an exclamation mark as if that's a lot of money for a portable entertainment device. How much do you think an iPod costs? Or a Rio?
    -russ

    --
    Don't piss off The Angry Economist
  3. Re:Picture and a bit more by iroll · · Score: 2, Insightful

    [musing mode on]

    Well, it would probably be similar to taking an original Han Solo action figure and modding it into a new, modern Jar Jar toy. An exercise in bad judgement.

    You'd be better off to sell it on ebay for $1000, and invest that money in finding either a similar but empty case to fill, or just paint a new iPod silver and do some calligraphy on it. Then pocket the change.

    --
    Repetition does not transform a lie into the truth. - FDR