{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O48631"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O48631/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AN7146/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AN7146/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AN7146","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AN7145","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O48631/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O48631","accessionNumber":"W.17:1, 2-1992","objectType":"Radio","titles":[{"title":"Solid State AM Transistor BP-156","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"By the early 1960s, the term 'transistor', a component which transformed radio technology, had become a popular term for the portable radio. This is a typical pocket 'transistor' from Malaysia. The Far East specialized in cheap models for export, offering private and portable access to music, news and other broadcast programmes, when relayed through an earpiece.\r\n\r\nThe Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa and takes its name from one of the first inventions, the Ever Sharp propelling pencil, developed in 1915.  Sharp is now one of the largest electrical goods manufacturers, producing both audio and visual products.","physicalDescription":"Pocket-sized, battery-powered transistor radio. Oblong, with red plastic back and silver plastic face. On the front is a circular red plastic speaker grille. At the top, a plastic wrist strap is held by a metal ring.\r\n","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Sharp Corporation","id":"A11858"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"AAT25190"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"polystyrene","id":"AAT14492"}],"techniques":[{"text":"injection moulding","id":"AAT54070"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Injection-moulded polystyrene","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Audio equipment","id":"THES49027"},{"text":"Product design","id":"THES49025"},{"text":"Plastic","id":"THES49026"},{"text":"Personal accessories","id":"THES48912"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2006AN7146","2006AN7145"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"012","id":"THES302900"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"012","id":"THES302900"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Radio","id":""}],[{"text":"Case","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"Malaysia","id":"x30048"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1970","earliest":"1970-01-01","latest":"1970-12-31"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""},{"date":{"text":"1970","earliest":"1970-01-01","latest":"1970-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Rupert's, Ealing","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"3.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"171","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Given to the V&A in 1992 by Rupert's of Ealing, acquired for the 20th century gallery [92/1377].\r\n","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Radio, Japanese, designed and manufactured by Sharp Corporation, 1970","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Reason For Production: Retail","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"<b>8. RADIO: SHARP ‘BP-156’\r\n1970</b>\r\nThe development of the transistor and improvements in plastics technology allowed radios to become more transportable and cheaper to manufacture. The term ‘transistor’ even became a synonym for portable radios. The small and light, pocket-sized radios enabled people to enjoy broadcast programmes while on the move.\n\r\nJapan\r\nDesigned by the Sharp Corporation\r\nMade in Malaysia\r\nPlastics\r\nGiven by Rupert’s, Ealing\r\nMuseum no. W.17-1992\r\n","date":{"text":"2015","earliest":"2015-01-01","latest":"2015-12-31"}},{"text":"SHARP SOLID STATE AM TRANSISTOR\r\nMODEL BP-156\r\nDesigned by the Sharp Corporation, Japan\r\nMade in Malaysia, about 1970\r\nPlastic and alloy\r\nW.17-1992\r\n\r\nBy the early 1960s the term 'transistor', a component which had transformed radio technology, had become the popular term for the portable radio. This is a typical pocket 'transistor' from the Far East which specialised in cheap export models offering private access to pop music, news and sport when relayed through an ear-piece.\r\n\r\n[20th century gallery]","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["W.17:1-1992","W.17:2-1992"],"accessionNumberNum":"17","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1992,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Case","Radio"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-27","recordCreationDate":"2000-09-25","availableToBook":false}}