Sixty years ago, this listener was probably the first on her block to own a transistor radio. And she was almost certainly the owner of the smallest radio. Smaller than a pocket set, this one was billed as a “half pocket” portable in the March 1962 issue of Radio Electronics.
The four transistor set measured only 1-11/16 x 1-1/2 x 11/16 inches, with a 2N345 serving as regenerative detector, with three 2N207’s amplifying the audio. It was “about the size of a petite ladies’ cigarette lighter,” and smaller than some hearing aids. It was said to pull in local stations with good volume and clarity, and required no external antenna or ground.