Sony released its TR-610 transistor radio in 1958, and sold around 500,000 of them — an unprecedented international success for the company. This was the product that established Sony as a world-leader in consumer electronics, a position it retained for the next forty years. Sony’s TR-610 was also the first truly pocket-sized radio, meaning that — two decades before the Walkman — consumers could carry around a personal audio device.
The transistor itself, and the first transistor radio, were American inventions, though Sony (and, shortly afterwards, other Japanese manufacturers) quickly overtook the US in transistor radio development. The TR-610 set the standard for all subsequent transistor radios, and its iconic design was imitated by dozens of other electronics companies: it’s the quintessential portable radio.
The transistor itself, and the first transistor radio, were American inventions, though Sony (and, shortly afterwards, other Japanese manufacturers) quickly overtook the US in transistor radio development. The TR-610 set the standard for all subsequent transistor radios, and its iconic design was imitated by dozens of other electronics companies: it’s the quintessential portable radio.
