I’m on a quest to find this retro baby. Have you got one tucked away? It could be in a drawer or an old shoebox. It’s called an EXPO 70, or Emperor. (Micro 70 too)
When I was a kid, my father gave me one. He was in the Australian Navy and picked it up somewhere in Asia while on a tour of duty. I loved my little radio. I took it everywhere. I heard the music of the 70’s through it.
And then I lost it.
We were on a fishing trip, and I was about three or four then. I remember putting it in the little rowboat my dad rented for us for our fishing day, but I don’t remember taking it out afterwards.
I was an irresponsible child.
It has taken me a long time to identify this radio. My memory knew its shape and colour but not the date or the company that manufactured it. Thanks to the Internet, I’ve learned much about it while tracking it down.
The factory was most likely in Hong Kong. It came in five colours and, apart from its compact size, boasted requiring just one AA battery.
This was probably the smallest radio of its time and was released in 1970. Japan had a World Exposition that year, and a promotional version became available during the show. Here’s what I know: Expo 70 wasn’t its only name. Micro 70 was another. Emperor was a third.
The radio came in five exotic colours. Mine was bright red.
Currently, I have an automatic online search that is ready to capture any advertisement that contains one. But if you have one of these at home and want to part with it, it’d go to a good home with me. I’m willing to pay. It has to be red and working. I already have a blue, black, and olive green one.
In the meantime, read my novel. It has more of my life experiences written into it.
–Michael (Author of Dark Fiction)
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
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