I just learned of this excellent site, an archive of reproductions of Radio Shack catalogs throughout history. I recognize most of the covers from the catalogs issued in the early 1980s, which makes sense since I spent a fair amount of time in Radio Shacks in the early 1980s. Back then Radio Shack was still cool, i.e. it was still a useful source of electronics parts, kits, tools, etc. Sadly, those times have passed, but now I can gaze with nostalgia upon oddly familiar pages of simulated wood-grain stereo components.
Radio Shack Nostalgia
Wow… I have this funny sort of multi-way association with Radio Shack, the Lane Community College campus, and for some reason Devo’s Shout in particular. It all blurs together into some never-exactly-extant Summer afternoon. I was still surprised how immediately familiar the ’87 Radio Shack catalog was…
And it really is a bummer what it’s turned into, with commissioned cell phone salespeople who are either baffled or annoyed when faced with questions about where to find connectors or capacitors…
WOW! The RadioShack Catalogs website is awesome! I was an electronics geek in my youth, and these catalogs made me into what I am today…and electronics geek in my adulthood. If you dig deep into the site, there is a TON of cool stuff (old TV commericals, old store fronts, sales flyers, etc.) Thanks for posting the link!!!