Here’s a rare novelty transistor radio from the seventies, manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial company branded National Panasonic. The design has several unusual features the main one being wearable as a bangle on the wrist although you may look rather odd doing so. Yes, millennials wearables were alive and kicking in the 1970s. There’s even a walkman style headphone socket.
This example has different colours top and bottom to change appearance from front and back when swivelled. It can look white or yellow or a mix of the two. Funky 70s cool? Moma thought the radio worthy as an exhibit and have it catalogued.
It’s a single medium wave band radio but still works pulling in BBC Radio 4, 5 Live, Capital Gold, etc. The tuning dial is hidden inside the larger diameter donut that’s accessed by swivelling apart. Volume is adjusted on the outer thumbnail control that also switches it on and off. Two 1.5v AA cells power the radio for several weeks of moderate use.
As with many of these radios batteries were often left in and forgotten causing corrosion and failure luckily this radio has not suffered that fate.
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- Toot-a-Loop R-72S Front
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- Toot-a-Loop R-72S base plate
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- Toot-a-Loop R-72S swivel 180 yellow sides
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- Toot-a-Loop R-72S 180 swivel
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- Toot-a-Loop R-72S tuning dial and headphone socket
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- Toot-a-Loop front view
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- Toot-a-Loop battery compartment
On the base plate: National Panasonic Model R-72S Frequency Range 525 – 1605 kHz (571-187m) Battery two “AA” size penlight batteries (National UM-3 or equivalent) 3v. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. Made in Japan.
Update
Here are pictures showing the battery compartment access slot and with cover removed showing the batteries next to the tiny speaker. The original model uses two AA batteries but as comments suggest later model uses a 9v battery.
Toot-a-loop battery compartment slot
Inside the Toot-a-loop battery compartment
22/06/2019 at 10:07 pm
Hi,
I can’t figure out how to open my toot-a-loop to replace the batteries. Looking at pictures on the net, I’ve figured out which side (of the 4 possible ones) needs to be removed, so I try to squeeze, push and pull but it just won’t open. Is there a trick to it?
Thanks for letting me know. All the best,
Andre
23/06/2019 at 5:38 am
Hi Andre – the battery cover on my toot-a-loop is the white plastic side. There’s a coin slot cut into the side that lifts up – see main photo. Try the largest coin you have for best leverage and twist to open. Here in UK a 50p coin works well. It takes a little force to open. Hope you don’t find batteries have been left in with it switched on for long time and it’s leaked electrolyte that’s jammed the lid. Good luck and let us know what you find.
24/06/2019 at 12:50 am
Hi Rick,
Thanks so much for your speedy reply. What didn’t help is that my toot-a-loop being so old, the words had faded on the casing hence making it difficult to figure out which side was the battery cover. The pictures from your site and your reply helped immensely.
The coin slot is very worn out on mine, so I ended up using a peeling knife and was able to open it right away. Luckily, the battery had not leaked inside. It was all nice & clean. I went to the corner store and bought a 9 volt battery. IT TOTALLY WORKS, NICE & CLEAR! Couldn’t be happier. Thanks again, dear Rick, and all the best.
Andre from Toronto
24/06/2019 at 11:14 am
Good to hear no leakage and it works, plastic saved! It’s an iconic fun design. I’ve seen modern remakes with FM for better reception but if you want authenticity the Panasonic is best.
13/06/2021 at 2:29 am
Hi, I used a wide edge screwdriver and gently twisted it in the slot nearest the on-off switch, didn’t want to break the plastic cover. It worked, but couldn’t find any clear instructions on internet about which side holds the battery; so it is the side opposite the speaker side.
14/06/2021 at 8:52 am
The two AA cell batteries are located speaker side in the original – I’ve added a photo to the post showing where they go in the original model. Comments suggest a 9v battery was used for a later model which I don’t have but would think it’s still goes next to the speaker.
Thanks for the comment Eileen – when I opened mine I found the batteries had been left in and corroded the contacts so will need to clean and remove. Have to remember to remove the batteries if the radio is not used! It’s too easy to forget as I found. Fortunately not damaged the speaker and wires.