Toot-A-Loop & Panapet 70 AM Portable Radios – Panasonic – 1970-71
The 1970’s brought a bolder and new dimension to modern design. Influenced by the pop art and psychedelic movements, commercial product makers began designing to appeal to the tail end of the baby boom generation.
Panasonic’s Toot-A-Loop and Panapet 70 radios are a good examples of this new thinking in what was to be known as “Mod” design. The Toot-A-Loop, when closed, was a donut form with an off-centered center hole which was stylish as well as making it easy to carry. Twisting the radio open revealed the tuning dial. The Panapet spherical design made it a perfect accessory for the Verner Panton-influenced designs of the time and worked wonderfully on a desktop.
Toot-A-Loop & Panapet 70 AM Portable Radios – Panasonic – 1970-71
These classic AM radios were only produced in the early 1970’s. The expansion of FM radio contributed to their demise. Certainly far from hi-fidelity, these radios were adequate though to sing along to the Top 40 while listening to Casey Kasem as you did your homework or laid out in the sun.
These pieces make great accent (and conversation) pieces and are fun gifts for friends who love the retro-mod style. Priced in the $45-65 range in good condition these can please on the Holidays even more than they did back in the ’70’s. Look for ones in good working and cosmetic condition and be sure to check the battery compartment to make sure there is no acid-leak damage.
