They say necessity is the mother of invention. Nothing proves this more than the story of how the iconic Zenith Trans-Oceanic portable radio receiver came into existence. Commander Eugene McDonald ...

Radio collecting has a lot to be said for it. Quality examples remain affordable, and tinkerers can easily replace a few tubes and get them working.

The better models from Magnavox, Zenith, and others combined fine furniture, good sound, and even occasionally a large screen — for its time — television. Earlier models were, of course, tubes ...