The Realistic brand benefitted from this level of exposure to hobbyists, computer nerds, and consumers who made RadioShack one of the leading retailers of consumer electronics. Tandy, along with Apple and Commodore revolutionized the personal home computer market which made their retail locations a major destination. The Tandy Corporation (which started as a leather goods manufacturer) acquired RadioShack and the rest is history. Realistic had some very successful products in the CB category, along with a few 8-track tape recorders from their TR series that made money for RadioShack and Tandy. Not very creative on their part but I suppose it was a way of describing the sound of their equipment if you listened hard enough. ![]() The initial plan was to sell their equipment under the “Realist” brand, but legal issues forced them to change it to “Realistic.” The company got into the catalog business in 1939 and entered the high-fidelity market in 1954. The “Radio Shack” was the official term for the room onboard ships where radio operators communicated with others ships and the various ports that they operated out of. RadioShack was started in Boston by two brothers in 1921 with the goal of supporting the growing number of people who were operating ham radios, and radio officers on ships. RadioShack’s infamous house brand that was sold next to the pulsating disco balls, wire strippers, and TV antenna. ![]() One brand that never crossed my radar was Realistic. When I got started a few years ago and began my vintage audio journey, I did a lot of reading and research about Marantz, Pioneer, Harmon Kardon, Sansui, Nakamichi, and high-end brands like McIntosh and Revox.
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