Each year, the March issue of Popular Mechanics carried the plans for a receiver dubbed the “Little Giant.” The rendition 80 years ago in the March 1939 issue was this four-tube TRF receiver complete with built-in phonograph. While the set was not especially designed for beginners, the magazine noted that the set was not difficult to build. It was billed as a portable, but the magazine noted that it could be adapted into an old console or large table cabinet.

With a 20 foot antenna, the set would get the local stations with surprising volume. And with a 50 foot antenna, the set would pull in more distant stations. It weighed in at 16 pounds, and could provide entertainment for vacationers, as shown above, or could provide entertainment and dance music as shown at the left. “Phonograph records may be played and amplified when broadcasting stations leave the air.”