TRANSISTOR RADIO DESIGN

This Bulova 660 was manufactured in the USA in 1958. In early advertising Bulova refer to this radio as the ‘Hercules’.

Bulova had their beginnings in 1875 when Joseph Bulova a 23 year old immigrant from Bohemia opened a small jewelry shop on Maiden Lane in New York City. In 1926 Bulova produced America’s first radio commercial and in 1928 they introduced the world’s first clock radio.

In the 1950s Bulova sold a line of high end transistor radios exclusively in jewelry stores across America. Bulova radios were obviously aimed at the wealthy and affluent!

The Bulova 660 Hercules is a glamorous and sophisticated radio, well crafted and made to last. It offers magnificent styling and features a unique diamond cut speaker grill and beautiful fine detailing around the tuning dial!

It is coat pocket size and has an adjustable handle that doubles as a stand.

I can imagine this Bulova Hercules in the hands of a famous fifties movie star, diamond studded cuff links mirrored by the sparkling speaker grill or sitting proudly at an outdoor cafe in downtown Rome, enchanting a gathering crowd of onlookers. Cultivated, smooth and worldly; this radio is the boss!

See more of the vintage ad for this Bulova here!
 

These Bulova radios even looked classy inside! Note the thick cardboard insert covering the circuit board and inscribed “Built with Bulova Watch Precision” in attractive gold script!

Bulova was the only manufacturer that I know of that cared enough to shield the electronically challenged amongst us from the accusing stare of that baffling circuit board!