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Sony Six transistor radio

Side view of a radio showing the dial controllers. Front view of a radio showing the round speaker. Front view of a radio showing the round speaker. Rear view of a radio showing the metal stand. Front view of a radio showing the leather cover. Front view of a radio showing the leather cover. Front view of a radio showing the instruction booklet.
Side view of a radio showing the dial controllers. Front view of a radio showing the round speaker. Front view of a radio showing the round speaker. Rear view of a radio showing the metal stand. Front view of a radio showing the leather cover. Front view of a radio showing the leather cover. Front view of a radio showing the instruction booklet.

Classification

Description

A small rectangular Sony 'Six' TR-610 transistor radio made from green injection moulded ABS and launched in November 1958. The radio has a hinged metal stand and a leather protective case which is fastened with poppers. It was designed to fit the hand (not seen prior to this model), with both the tuner and volume controls being adjustable using the thumb. Emphasizing the transistor's compact size, Sony promoted it as fitting vertically in a shirt pocket but it could also stand upright or be carried. It was the smallest and lightest radio of its time and saw the first use of the Sony typeface logo, developed by Yasuo Kuroki. Available in red, black, white and green, this example is complete with its original instruction manual.
Designers & Manufacturers
Designer (Person)
Yamamoto, Kozo
Manufacturer
Sony

Inscriptions

printed: "Sony Six Transistor" (front)
moulded: "Sony TR610 Japan" (rear)

Object number

AIBDC : 0_2190

Date

1958

Country

Japan

Method

injection moulded

Material

plastic
ABS case
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
metal
animal
skin
leather cover
Dimensions
Width
60mm
Height
100mm
Depth
20mm

Colour

green
silver