Transistor radio by Toshiba
Object No. 96/43/1
Where this transistor radio exhibits little technical sophistication, it stands out for its startlingly different appearance to other Japanese radios from the preceding period. Toshiba's Design Centre crew took the key design cue of the oriental (Japanese) interior and produced this plastic spherical flower basket transistor radio with more than a mild echo of traditional Japanese lacquer ware. A late 1950s penchant for westerners to orientalise their interiors provided a rich consumer base for this design, and it was a modestly successful product. The company, so pleased with this product, to exhibited the radio at Toshiba's showcase in Ginza, Tokyo for some time. There is no denying that a certain attraction to novelty might also have induced the purchase of this hand painted radio, but it must be said it is a most practical design. The centralised dial sits on top so that if the radio is placed in the centre of a table it can be operated and tuned from any direction. The speaker, mounted at the base of the sphere, is directed downwards, projecting sound toward the pedestal base, itself acoustically affable, affording audio in all directions. Toward the late 1950s, Japanese designers had tended to follow their North American counterparts (the 'Cadillac' design school) conforming to popular taste by the judicious application of mock chrome trim to the casing of radios, televisions and refrigerators - the flower basket sees Japanese designers breaking from this and forging new ground with very Japanese styling. Campbell Bickerstaff, 2011
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Summary
Object Statement
Transistor radio, plastic / metal / electrical components, made by Toshiba Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, 1957
Physical Description
Battery-operated portable transistor radio with spherical body and gold metallic carry handle. The radio is made from red and cream-coloured plastic and is decorated with a Japanese floral motif to resemble a flower basket. The upper section of the radio above the central band is ornamented with peony-like flowers to evoke traditional Japanese lacquer decoration. The flowers are hand-painted in cream, yellow, maroon and purple with pale blue and dark green leaves. The lower half of the radio is red and features a circular base. The frequency dial is red and cream with gold numerals and is located on the top of the radio. A power switch is located next to the carry handle hinge. An oval plaque fixed to the stand bears the maker's name, 'Toshiba'. The name is repeated on the central band. The word, 'Transistor' is impressed on the handle.
DIMENSIONS
Height
230 mm
Diameter
190 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The transistor radio was designed and made by the Toshiba Corporation, Japan, 1957. Toshiba is a subsidiary company of Tokyo Shibaura Electrical Company Limited, Japan.
HISTORY
Notes
The transistor radio was purchased by the vendor in Australia.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1996
Acquisition Date
31 January 1996
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