Decades before MP3s were a thing

portable radios were a marvel of technology

Before the transistor was invented, radios used vacuum tubes. Although portable vacuum tube radios were produced, they were typically bulky and heavy. The typical portable tube radio of the fifties was about the size and weight of a lunchbox and contained several heavy, non-rechargeable batteries — one or more so-called "A" batteries to heat the tube filaments and a large 45- to 90-volt "B" battery to power the signal circuits.

By comparison, the transistor radio could fit in a pocket and weighed half a pound or less, and was powered by standard flashlight batteries or a single compact battery. The 9-volt battery was introduced for powering transistor radios.

Transistor radios were extremely successful because of three social forces the post World War II baby boom, a public with disposable income amidst a period of prosperity, and the growing popularity of rock 'n' roll music. The influence of the transistor radio during this period is shown by its appearance in popular films, songs, and books of the time, such as the movie Lolita.

In the late 1950s, transistor radios took on more elaborate designs as a result of heated competition. Eventually, transistor radios doubled as novelty items. The small components of transistor radios that became smaller over time were used to make anything from "Jimmy Carter Peanut-shaped" radios to "Gun-shaped" radios to "Mork from Ork Eggship-shaped" radios. Corporations used transistor radios to advertise their business. "Charlie the Tuna-shaped" radios could be purchased from Star-Kist for an insignificant amount of money giving their company public visibility. These novelty radios are now bought and sold as collectors' items among modern-day collectors.

I know what you're thinking. Yes, it is... It really is, a toilet radio!

Who were your favorite radio disc jockies from 60s and 70s?

My name is Justin... Justin Case, Termination Agent for the Tin Can Communications Company, you might have heard of the exploits of my friends and me in Chasing the Wendigo? Well, we listened to: Murray Kaufman, aka Murray the K. Kaufman from 1010 WINS New York, Bob Smith, aka Wolfman Jack, and Dick Clark DJ at WFIL in Philadelphia. Kaufman set a frenetic pace that incorporated segues, jingles, sound effects, and antics. After being invited by Beatles manager Brian Epstein to travel with the band, he came to be referred to as the "Fifth Beatle". Smith appeared as himself in the 1973 film American Graffiti and hosted TV shows such as Midnight Special and Rock and Roll Palace. Clark hosted WFIL-TV’s American Band Stand.

However, my favourite stations were WKBW Am, 1520, Buffalo and WSV Vermont. I listened to: Jaye Jordon, DJ at WSV a heritage station in Vermont and Rod Roddy, Stan Roberts and Sandy Beach. “Rats in My Room”, a classic 45rpm record from the golden age of Top 40 radio in Buffalo, New York. WKBW radio personalities Joey Reynolds & Danny Neaverth recorded this novelty song in 1963 on Swan Records.

Since the 1980s, the popularity of radio-only portable devices declined with the rise of portable audio players which allowed users to carry and listen to tape-recorded music. This began in the late 1970s with boom boxes and portable cassette players such as the Sony Walkman, followed by portable CD players. A common type now is the portable digital audio player or MP3 player. This type of device is a popular choice with listeners who are dissatisfied with terrestrial music radio because of a limited selection of music and reception problems. However, transistor radios are still popular for news, talk radio, weather, live sporting events, and emergency alert applications.

The MP3 player offers high quality audio, great price and portability. These devices have come a long way from the first Walkman. The first clunky, hard-to-use, and expensive ones showed up in 1998. Music fans could collect and enjoy hundreds of digital tracks.

Today’s MP3 players are all about a convergence of features, including WiFi, builtin Web browsers, video playback, radio tuners, applications and the ability to play stored content on external devices such as wireless speakers, a stereo or an HDTV.