Emerson Model 888 "Pioneer" Transistor Radio (1958)
When I spotted this large, early transistor radio in its original
box, I could hardly believe my eyes. It's rare enough to find old
transistors in such nice condition, and finding one still with its
box is a real treat. It even has the original earphone, which
apparently was never unwrapped.
The cabinet has no scratches or chips and the electronics are
like new, as well. The only thing that I've done with this radio
is to give it a light polish.
Standing about eight inches tall, this radio is considerably larger
than the shirtpocket transistor sets that became popular in
the late 1950s and 1960s. A swinging handle can be used to carry
the set or to stand it up on a table. It runs on 6 volts, taking
four AA batteries. With a good-sized speaker inside, its tone is
pretty impressive.
The radio does use a circuit board, although some of its components, such as
the volume control, are not as miniaturized as in later transistors.
Emerson manufactured a series of Model 888 transistors during the late
1950s and early 1960s, naming them after US space rockets of the time.
In addition to the Pioneer, there were Atlas, Explorer, Galaxy, Satellite,
Titan, and Vanguard models, all built along similar lines
but with different cabinets.
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