If you were looking for a portable radio 85 years ago, you could get this one for $9.95, as seen in this ad in the August 3, 1940, issue of the Tacoma (Washington) Times. The set was billed simply at the “Tom Thumb,” and I haven’t been able to track down the manufacturer.

But the main selling point was that the “A” battery was a normal flashlight battery, which could be replaced for a dime. Of course, there was also the B battery (of perhaps 45 or 90 volts) which would have been more expensive. But in fairness, the A battery would run down faster, and when it did, you could get one at any gas station or drug store.

You could get the radio at the Weisfield & Goldberg jewelry store, and if you credit was goo, it was only 85 cents a month.