Scanning Around With Gene: Radio Shack in 1959

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Charles Tandy went on a store-opening binge. The company grew from three stores in 1959 to more than 4,500 today (which is down from the peak). And of course now you can order from them on the Internet, which I imagine has pretty much replaced print catalogs. But oh, how I loved browsing the “big” Radio Shack catalog.

The company has been through its share of hard times over the years. Currently it seems to be going through an identity crisis. Are they really trying to change the name to “The Shack?” Sounds like a fast-food place.

But you can still pick up a phono plug and an odd flashlight bulb at Radio Shack, scattered among the more-prevalent cell phones and loud toys.

I hope they don’t gut the heart of Radio Shack. I may not need any phono plugs these days, but I like knowing the store still has them.