Not currently on display at the V&A

Model TR 70

Radio
1961 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Design Journal commented that: It was felt by the judges of the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design that Eric Marshall had achieved a clean, trim and attractice effect in plastics. The panel was glad to be able to award the Prize for a product from an industry which often appears to pay less attention to the exterior than it does to the interior design in its goods.

In the early years the Council of Industrial Design tended to focus on the syling of audiovisual equipment, giving awards to products such as Eric Marshall's Rio Transistor Radio. Later technicald developments came to play a stronger role, showcasing the strength of British hi-fi design and manufacturing. (Crowther)


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleModel TR 70 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Polystyrene and aluminium
Brief description
Transistor radio, model TR 70, designed by Eric Marshall, manufactured by Ultra Radios Ltd, Great Britain, 1961
Physical description
A portable transistor radio with a high impact polystyrene cabinet and an expanded aluminium grille. Operated by two 6 volt batteries which will have an average of six months. Weight with batteries 5lb. The radio is available in two colour schemes (grey, black and white cabinet with silver grille).
Dimensions
  • Height: 8in
  • Width: 12in
  • Depth: 2in
Dimensions taken from dep. file
Object history
Historical significance: Winner of the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design in 1961.
Summary
The Design Journal commented that: It was felt by the judges of the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design that Eric Marshall had achieved a clean, trim and attractice effect in plastics. The panel was glad to be able to award the Prize for a product from an industry which often appears to pay less attention to the exterior than it does to the interior design in its goods.

In the early years the Council of Industrial Design tended to focus on the syling of audiovisual equipment, giving awards to products such as Eric Marshall's Rio Transistor Radio. Later technicald developments came to play a stronger role, showcasing the strength of British hi-fi design and manufacturing. (Crowther)
Bibliographic reference
Crowther, Lily. Award Winning British Design 1957-1988. London: V&A Publishing, 2012. p.49 The Design Centre Awards including The Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design, Design Journal , 1961. pp.151-152
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.293-1963

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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