Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago

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We take a look at a beautiful and surprisingly heavy Lloyd's Electra 2-Transistor radio that shares a unique design with the Candle and Universal transistor radios of the late 1950s.

This specific radio has an unusual flaw: its edges look "nibbled"—a likely result of a fidgety owner! This leads to an amusing philosophical discussion: Is this a design flaw or a self-control issue? It's the transistor radio version of an "attractive nuisance."

We also explore the radio's origins from Toyko Transistor Industry, its 1940s-inspired "roundy" aesthetic, and its high-end features like a metal cloisonné badge and "tropicalized" mesh (a retro form of vector control to keep bugs out!).

This rare 2-transistor model is a sturdy, well-made piece of vintage electronics and a great example of mid-century design. Compare it to the Candle PTR-62B and the similar 6-transistor models.

Key features discussed:

Lloyd's Electra TR2

Candle PTR-62B

Universal Transistor Radios

Toyko Transistor Industry

Tropicalized radio design

Mid-century design / 1940s nostalgia

The humorous origins of "vector control" jargon!