Sixty years ago this month, the November 1958 issue of Electronics Illustrated reviewed the Knight 83Y766 five-transistor radio kit from Allied Radio.
The magazine’s set was put together by a beginner with absolutely no experience, “who didn’t know a transistor from a transmitter, or a capacitor from a cake pan.” But by following the meticulous ste-by-step instructions, the builder reported that he had “never seen anything so easy in my life. The instructions are simpler than those on a ready-mix cake box.”
The kit retailed for $29.95 and required only pliers, screwdriver, and soldering iron.
I made one. Still have it along with the assembly book. Nice AM radio, but it makes short work of 9 volt battery. I was around 11 years old. When I got it for Christmas. I knew a transistor from a condenser…….but not the fine details of how they worked.