Braun TP 1. Portable Transistor Radio and Phonograph by Dieter Rams (1959) [Specifications and Videos]

This combined transistor radio and portable record player epitomises both the functionalist principles of post-War German design and the excitement of the new pop culture. The record player is the larger of the two units. The rotating mechanism has a shallow cylindrical projection that fits into the central hole in the record. Unconventionally, the record is played on the underside, not the top, by a stylus in the rectangular recess on the left. This is revealed by a sliding panel, operated by the lever above. The position of the lever and stylus meant that this could only take 7-inch-wide 'singles', playing at 45 rpm. This format, introduced by RCA in 1949, became synonymous with pop music and lifestyle. Transistors were an innovation of the early 1950s that enabled radios to be miniaturised and become portable. In this design, both the radio and the record player could be used independently, but they slot together in the sleek and durable aluminium carrying case, emphasising their portability.

The function and design of this audio equipment, and even the forms, materials and colours, anticipate the enormously successful iPod family of portable music players, launched by Apple half a century after this product was designed.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Specifications

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Country: Germany
Manufacturer / Brand: Braun; Frankfurt
Designer: Dieter Rams
Year: 1959-1962
Category: Broadcast Receiver - or past WW2 Tuner
Semiconductors (the count is only for transistors): 7 | OC170 OC45 OC45 OC602 OC602 OC602spez OC602spez OA70 OA70
Main principle: Superheterodyne (common); ZF / IF 455 kHz
Tuned circuits: 5 AM circuit (s)
Wave bands: Broadcast, Long Wave and Short Wave.
Details: Record Player (not changer)
Power type and voltage: Dry Batteries / AA: 4 x 1.5 & C: 4 x 1.5 Volt
Loudspeaker: Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil) / Ø 7 cm = 2.8 inch
Power out: 0.15 W (unknown quality)



Videos

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Source

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MoMA
radiomuseum.org
Victoria and Albert Museum
diadora1305's YouTube Channel
b2project's YouTube Channel