Westminster Micro Transistor Radio

Westminster micro transistor radio, made by Belcher (Radio Services), a subsidiary of Currys Group PLC.

The Westminster Micro Transistor Radio exemplifies radio technology miniaturisation. It fits snuggly in your palm, making it ideal for portability. Miniaturisation was enabled through the invention of solid-state electronics first developed by Bell Labs. Solid-state electronics allowed radio components to become lighter and smaller. It resulted in the shift from the use of large, plug-in radios at home, for communal listening, to radios being used outside by individuals on the move.

This Westminster Micro radio was cheap, and mass produced – $2.99 (£2.25). It matches identically to radios produced by other brands in the early 1970s including Ajax Dandy, Emperor, and Expo '70. All these radios share the same size, rounded edges, plastic mould cases, bright colours (although this example is black), branding placement, atom symbol motif, and internal circuit. The only difference in these radios: the brand name attached. These radios characterise the move from traditional radio materials, including wood, to bright plastics and metal.

The Westminster is an example of early offshoring, which started in the 1960s. It is a product ‘designed’ in the UK but manufactured in Hong Kong, at a cheaper price point. Yet these cheaply produced, replica devices were seen to undercut the British domestic radio market, which from the late 1950s to 1960s had been flourishing. It was then Hong Kong became the centre for radio manufacture and distribution across the world. Because of their similarities, it is likely that these identical micro radios were produced in one of two Hong Kong factories.

Anyone anywhere could have used this Westminster and the other replica micro radios. And they did. For despite having headphone attachments, these were rarely used, which resulted in the banning of transistor radios in a variety of places, from the use of postal workers on their rounds to beaches in southern Europe.

What makes this very ubiquitous radio more unique is the ‘Westminster’ branding; a British Brand you no longer see. Belcher Radio Services Limited made Westminster products, but was acquired by Currys PLC.