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History of the manufacturer  

Regency (brand of I.D.E.A.)

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Name: Regency (brand of I.D.E.A.)    (USA)  
alternative name:
Idea (I.D.E.A.)
Abbreviation: regency
Summary:

Regency; Indianapolis, (Ind.); USA: Later brand of I.D.E.A., Industrial Development Engineering Associates. In October 1954 Regency introduced the worlds first Transistor Radio (4 transistors only) to the market, the Regency TR-1. Texas Instruments delivered a sample and then the transistors. The TR1 was just about three months earlier of Raytheon with it's 8TP, having a much better performance with 8 transistors. TR1 was the only pocket radio Regency manufactured. The site http://people.msoe.edu/~reyer/regency shows probably most details about the story and the product.

History:
1945-I.D.E.A., Industrial Development Engineering Associates, created as a partnership company by former RCA employees Joe Weaver and John Pies
1947-I.D.E.A., Inc. becomes full corporation
1950's-Several divisions within I.D.E.A. created
Regency Division (transistor radios, television accessories, citizens band transceivers). Radell Division (resistor manufacturing group-sold and transferred to Texas Instruments Inc. Dallas facility in 1955 with John Pies as chief officer). Monitoradio Division (built FM, VHF, and UHF equipment). Electronic Equipment Division (special application commercial and military contracts and private label manufacturing).
1955-Radio Apparatus Corporation merged with I.D.E.A.
1961-Parent company name changed from I.D.E.A. to Regency Electronics Inc.
1989-Regency name changed to Relm Communications Inc. (2-way communication scanner systems) present-still operating as Relm Communications Inc.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
USA  54 Regency TR-1 Pocket Radio TI223  Worlds first pocket Transistor radio on the market (1954). This was organised by Texas ... 
USA  54 TR-1 "Mike Todd" TI223  Very rare, jade green version of the TR-1 - complete with a leather presentation case w... 
USA  55 TR-1G Pocket Radio 235_TI  In October 1954 Regency brought with the TR-1 the first pocket radio of the world (as a... 
USA  58 TR-5 2N172   
USA  57 TR-4 2N229  Regency model TR-4 is a battery operated portable AM transistorized receiver. In October 1... 
USA  58 TR-5A   Leather, Leather handle. Light front round brass dial knob, left grill area with oblong cu... 
USA  58 All Transistor TR-5B   Leather, Leather handle. Light front round brass dial knob, left grill area with oblong cu... 
USA  58 All Transistor TR-5C 2N229  2nd IF stage acts also as first AF stage.Briarwood, California saddle or champagne leather... 
USA  57 TR-6 2N172  Leather handle. 
USA  58 TR-7 TR7 2N229  black or ivory, with swing handle. 
USA  59 All Transistor TR-11   red, white or ebony. 
USA  59 TR-22 AO-1  See Bunis page 231. 

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

tbn_regencylogo.jpg
Address ~1970`stbn_us_regency_electronics_address.jpg

  

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