Regency Electronics produced the first commercial transistor radio, the Regency TR-1, it hit the consumer market in October, 1954. It featured four germanium transistors operating on a 22.5-volt battery that provided over twenty hours of life (tube radios with batteries only lasted several hours at best-ref). Several colors were initially offered in the 3″ x 5″ x 1 1/4″ plastic case: black, ivory, mandarin red, cloud gray, mahogany and olive green. Radio collectors covet the limited number of units with swirl colors. Fashion iridescent colors were offered later and rare clear plastic cases also were made. The unit weighed eleven ounces and cost $49.95.
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