Radio Shack Catalogs
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  - HISTORY -

A (Brief) History of RadioShack
Radio Shack started in 1921 in Boston, Mass., by London-born Bostonian brothers Theodore and Milton Deutschmann. These young immigrant brothers wanted to provide amateur and ham radio equipment to the public; much of it was leftover Army gear. At the time, this radio technology was cutting-edge and the field was wide open. To pursue their interests, the brothers opened a retail store (a block from the site of the Boston Massacre).
  William Halligan, one of Deutschmann's first employees and later the founder of Hallicrafters, suggested the name, “Radio Shack”.

Radio Shack RoomDid you know that a "Radio Shack" was the term used for the room that housed a ship's radio equipment? (as shown to the left).

The brothers thought the name was fitting since their store would supply the equipment for ship’s radio officers, as well as
ham radio operators.
Radio Shack Catalog - 1939

But it wasn’t until 1939 that Radio Shack introduced its first catalog when it entered the high-fidelity music equipment market. 

Where it all began! The first Radio Shack catalog (1939) shown to the right. Below that, a 1946 Radio Shack catalog released after World War II (with applicable cover theme).

Radio Shack Catalog - 1946In 1947, it opened the nation's first audio showroom; providing amplifiers, speakers, turntables & phonograph equipment, etc.  And by this time the company had an extensive mail order business and expended to nine retail electronic stores.

In 1954, Radio Shack began to sell their private-label products under the brand name Realist. However, the company was later sued. As a result, changed their brand name to Realistic.

By the early 1960s, Radio Shack had expanded to nine retail stores (plus a mail-order business) and was a leading distributor of electronic parts and products to do-it-yourselfers around the world.

But the growth of the Radio Shack chain was short-lived as management made a mistake: The stores began selling on credit and soon had a pile of uncollected receivables. And in the late 1960s, with the bank on their back, the company was practically bankrupt.

Radio Shack's Owner - Charles TandyEnter Charles David Tandy.  Tandy, owner of the leather goods company, Tandy Corporation, Tandy Leathercraftssaw the potential of Radio Shack and the future of retail consumer electronics. In 1963, seeing an opportunity, he bought the company for $300,000.

Tandy began to phase-out its non-electronic product lines. And in 1975, Tandy Corporation became exclusively an electronics company.

The '70s proved to be a decade of incredible growth for Radio Shack.   Some called Radio Shack, "The McDonalds of Electronics" or the "Walmart of Hi-Tech". Not only did Radio Shack grow in number of stores, but in the quantity, quality and sophistication of its products. The incredibly popular citizen-band (CB) radios, were one of itsFirst Advertisement of Radio Shack TRS-80 top selling items. (The company pitched the CB as a "survival tool for the energy crunch of the '70s"). Tandy's own CB handle was "Mr. Lucky."

Following the highly successful CB radios in 1977, Radio Shack introduced the first high volume produced personal computer: the TRS-80® microcomputer - Only $599.95. This computer was the creation of a 24-year-old engineer named Steve Leininger.  In contrast to build-it-yourself units available at the time, the TRS-80 was fully wired, tested, and ready to use.

To the right, is the first appearance of the TRS-80 Computer within a Radio Shack catalog.  It appeared as an insert within the 1978 Radio Shack catalog. (Click to enlarge.)

At the time, The TRS-80 was a state-of-the-art computing device - at an economical price.  This led to overwhelming customer demand. Over 200,000 TRS-80 Model I computers were sold between 1977 to 1981.  And during the '80s, as the company advertised, Radio Shack was "the biggest name in little computers". It's been said that Radio Shack has done more than any company - more than Apple or IBM - to bring the computer to your home and office.

 

Radio Shack Truck

Also during the '80s, Radio Shack introduced the first affordably priced stereo receiver with digital technology, the first mobile/portable cell phone that could be installed by the customer, and the first satellite TV system that could be installed by the hobbyist.

In 1999, Radio Shack launched its website, www.RadioShack.com. And in 2003, discontinued printing of their full-line catalogs :-( and concentrated their marketing media towards their website.

~ HISTORICAL PHOTO BOOKS ~
For the best viewing experience, the books below can be viewed in either
of two formats: LARGE or SMALL.  Choose the format that best matches your monitor's screen size and settings.  Also see Instruction Manual.

Radio Shack Historical Photos - Stores

  Radio Shack Stores
  
VIEWING FORMAT:  LARGE   -   SMALL

  Radio Shack started as a single store in
  Boston, MA.  At its peak, the force of the
  Radio Shack Corporation encompassed about
  7,000 Radio Shack stores throughout the
  world - both corporate owned and franchised.
  This photo album depicts some of the earlier
  Radio Shack stores.

  A special "thanks" to all those who contributed
  to this photo book.  If you have a store or
  related Radio Shack photo to share,
  please send me an
email.

RadioShack Historical Photos - Charles D. Tandy

  Radio Shack's Charles D. Tandy
   VIEWING FORMAT:  LARGE   -   SMALL

  Charles David Tandy - Founder, philanthropist,
  and civic leader.

  In 1963, Tandy purchased Radio Shack
  Corporation, a company on the edge of
  bankruptcy, and turned it into the world's
  largest electronics chain.

RadioShack Historical Photos -  Trademarks

  What's In A Name?
   VIEWING FORMAT:  LARGE   -   SMALL

  This photo album contains over 150 RadioShack
  Trademarks and Servicemarks as listed in the
  United States Patent & Trademark Office.

  Including: Realistic, Archer, Micronta, TRS-80,
  Sciencefair, DuoFone, Tandy, Deskmate,
  Stereo Shack, Mach One, Supertape, Optimus
  Flavoradios, Weatheradio, Enercell, Portavision,
  Minimus, Road Patrol, Project-Board, and more!

  If you have a Radio Shack related photo
  to contribute, please send me an
email.

RadioShack Historical Photos -  Misc.

  The "Miscellaneous" Album
   VIEWING FORMAT:  LARGE   -   SMALL

  This photo album contains a mix of interesting
  Radio Shack related historical photos.

  Including: The signature of Milton Deutschmann,
  founder of Radio Shack in 1921, the memorable
  Lewis Kornfeld and his Flyerside-Chat column,
  the Realistic (radio / tuner) story, and more!

  If you have a Radio Shack related photo
  to contribute, please send an
email.

~ THE EVOLUTION OF THE RADIO SHACK LOGO ~

THE RADIO SHACK
1921 - 1940s
Company logo not yet developed.
 

Radio Shack Logo (1940s - 1950)
1940s  - 1950
 

Radio Shack Logo (1951 - 1955)
1951  - 1955
 

Radio Shack Logo (1955 - 1959)
1955  - 1959
 

Radio Shack Logo (1960s)
1960 - 1962
 

Radio Shack Logo (1963-66)
1963 - 1966
 
Allied Radio Shack Logo (1970-73)
1970 - 1973
After Radio Shack acquired the Allied Radio Corporation in 1970, their name was changed to Allied Radio Shack.  But in 1973, due to a federal court action, Radio Shack was ordered to divest itself from Allied Radio.
 
Radio Shack Logo (1973-95) 
1973 - 1995
 

1973  - 1995
 
Radio Shack Logo (1983)
1983 - ?
Primarily used on computer products.
 
Radio Shack Logo (1995)
1995 - 2000
No space between "Radio" and "Shack".
 
Radio Shack Logo
2000 - 2009
Modification to the "R" graphic.
 
The Shack Logo
August 6, 2009 - (current)
A major change.  After almost 90 years,
RadioShack changes (rebrands) its name to "THE SHACK".

To promote the new name change, RadioShack developed "The Summer Netogether". Two massive 17 foot laptop computers were erected to kickoff the event.  One laptop was stationed at the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, the other in Times Square, New York.  Event MCs and spectators were able to view and communicate with each other via a live video chat.  At the same time, Netogether was also promoted on the web.  Viewers could watch the live feed, meet a friend, or "Say Something" and watch their comment cascade past the screen.

  Click to enlarge
Netogether
photos.

 

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