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| Similarities Between the iPod and the TR-1. |
Technology observer John Ousby (UK) accidentally discovered a photo of the Regency TR-1 transistor radio from 1954 that looks remarkably similar to Apple’s music device, both in design and color.
The TR-1 was the world’s first pocket radio to use transistor technology, small enough to hold in one hand, battery-operated, and designed in an array of elegant colors such as green, turquoise, light pinkish blue, white, and red.
The product was marketed with the slogan “See it! Hear it! Get it!”, perfectly timed as young people were eager for a portable device that allowed them to enjoy Elvis Presley’s hit song That’s All Right, marking the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
With its high-tech features, trendy colors, rock music appeal, and captivating marketing, Ousby was immediately reminded of the iPod Mini. He uploaded this image to Flickr, attracting 15,000 views in just a few days.
The similarities between the two devices sparked discussions across many personal websites, particularly within the Mac community. Ousby found it impossible to prove that the resemblance between the 1950s radio and the iPod Mini was merely coincidental.
“I believe an engineer at Apple took inspiration from a great idea; this shouldn’t be labeled as imitation,” one reader commented on Digg. “Even Picasso was influenced by the artists before him.”
Many other members concluded that all things, often regarded as new inventions like the iPod Mini (which has since been replaced by the iPod Nano), stem from “some old idea.”
Apple representatives declined to comment on the matter.
