TRANSISTOR RADIO DESIGN

This Play-Rite KT-80 was manufactured in Japan by Kobe Kogyo circa 1962. Although it is branded as a Play-Rite most surviving examples can be found branded as their maker; Kobe Kogyo, with the same model number of KT-80.

This unusual looking radio features a clear top mounted slide rule tuning dial and a painted speaker grill with gold plated metal trim. The speaker grill is an unusual color, kind of a purple/brown combo. This radio has a ferrite antenna inside negating the need for its telescopic aerial? I think the aerial was just for show.

Some collectors really dig these little Kobe Kogyo’s and I have seen them sell for astronomical prices on eBay!
 

When Kobe Kogyo began producing high quality radios in the 1950's it already had a history stretching back to 1920.

In 1953 Kobe Kogyo became the first Japanese company to produce a transistor after licensing the technology from Bell Labs for a whopping $25000 USD! Two years later Totsuku (as SONY was known at the time) produced Japans first transistor radio and went on to become the worlds leading consumer electronics manufacturer. In contrast Kobe Kogyo's fortunes took a dive in the early sixties when due to poor management they slid into the red and were absorbed into Fujitsu Ten never to be seen again....
 

There is something puzzling about horizontal radios, I always expect them to be a lot larger than their vertical counterparts but this little Kobe Kogyo will easily fit into the pocket of your jeans.  It measures just 4.5” x 2.8” x 0.9” (115mm L x 73mm H x 25mm W).

This KT-80 uses TEN brand transistors manufactured by Kobe Kogyo.
 

The well worn leather case.