Browsing Through This RadioShack Catalog From 1990 Is a Wild Nostalgic Ride

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John Summers • Contributor
Jun 30, 2024 11:00 PM EDT

It's amazing to see how far we have come in 34 years when it comes to technology. Think about it: the printing press was invented in 1440 and it stayed pretty much the same until 1993 when the first digital printer was invented. That's 553 years of technology standing in place. Now, browse through this 1990 RadioShack catalog and realize that pretty much everything you see in it now fits inside your pocket! (Well, maybe not the printer.)

Seriously—recording video and taking pictures, listening to music, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, playing video games, working, calculating, watching television shows, setting up your alarm clock—each one of these used to be done on a different device, each costing hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars. Now it's all done from one singular, magical device that fits in the palm of your hand and does everything we mentioned—but better. That is actually insane when you stop and think about it.

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  • 01

    Look at that happy grandma!

    Radio Shack THE TECHNOLOGY STORE Bringing You the Products of Technology for 69 Years Radio Shack has specialized in electronics since 1921, like no other retailer in the world. Our exclusive brands are made in our 31 factories or custom-manufactured to our specifications, and you'll find customer service and support at 7000 locations. It pays to shop Radio Shack, The Technology Store. 1990 Catalog. No. 446 Index Page 92
    via RadioShack
  • 02

    Yes, That's 1099$ for a video camera

    Realistic® Camcorders Keep Your Memories Alive Easy-to-Use, Feature-Packed VHS MovieCorder Automatic Focus, Iris and White Balance Hi-Speed Shutter for Crisp Action Shots 1/2" CCD Image Sensor for Superior Color Reproduction in Low Light Levels (3 Lux) NEW 89900 FOR '90 Low As $45 Realistic Model 101 MovieCorder. Shoot over two hours in color with sound, then replay instantly through the viewfinder, or on any VCR or TV. Viewfinder displays scenes exactly as they'll appear on your TV, plus tape c
    via RadioShack
  • 03

    4 heads are better than 1

    Our 4-Head VCRs Give You Super Special Effects Double-Azimuth Design Boosts Video and Special-Effects Quality NEW FOR '90 399 Low As $20 Per Month Improved Video Quality At SP and EP Speeds Noiseless Slow-Motion, Fast-Action and Freeze On-Screen Display Full-Function Wireless Remote Control 21-Day/6-Event Timer REALISTIC НЫ ON SCREEN VHS PESH Realistic Model 80. This feature-packed VCR gives you easy remote-control programming and superior video performance. The 4-head double-azimuth design im-
    via RadioShack
  • 04

    State of the art cellular phone

    Handheld Cellular Telephone Keeps You in Touch! 555 12 12 ABC 1 2 GHI 4 PRS 7 JKL TUV 8 OPER DEF 3 MNO 6 WXY 9 Put the Whole World in Your Hand! Now Make and Take Phone Calls Wherever You Go! 79900** Low As $40 Per Month Charging accessories extra One-Piece Design Fits Easily in Your Briefcase-1½" Wide, Weighs 28 Oz. Talk for Up to 1½ Hours on a Single Charge-Batteries Recharge in One Hour Includes Rechargeable Battery Pack, Antenna, Carrying Case and Strap Radio Shack CT-301. A full-featured ce
    via RadioShack
  • 05

    And another phone for your car!

    Low-Cost Mobile Phone-Convenience and Safety Easy to Install, and Transfers Quickly From Vehicle to Vehicle NEW FOR '90 49900** Low As $25 Per Month ■Full Duplex Handsfree Included -Call Without Lifting Handset Handset Mounts on Floor or Dash, Transceiver Mounts Under Dash or Seat Tandy CT-102. A small price to pay for the convenience, safety and security you and your family need while on the road. With the CT-102, no one has to drive alone again. If help is needed, the police, a tow truck or me
    via RadioShack
  • 06

    I miss those big brown speakers

    The New Standard in Affordable High-Fidelity Radio Shack, The Nationwide Leader in Electronics Since 1921, Presents Its Newest Line of Top-Quality, Feature-Packed Stereo Components OPTIMUS Optimus brand audio equipment from Radio Shack of- fers you the very best in high-fidelity audio products. These components team up with our nationally famous Optimus brand speakers, which have been known for their excellent sound and outstanding value for more than two decades. Every Optimus component represe
    via RadioShack
  • 07

    I actually want one

    Optimus® and Realistic® Turntables and Changer Computer-Controlled-Our Best NEW FOR '90 Includes Audio-Technica Dual-Magnet Cartridge 14995 Low As $15 Per Month ■Linear-Tracking Straight-Line Tonearm Plays Records the Way They Were Cut for Superior Sound ■Programmable Repeat Optimus LAB-2250. Optimus brings you "pro" fea- tures at an affordable price. A microprocessor keeps the stylus precisely angled for cleaner sound and longer record life. Tracks at less than 11 grams. Auto-start and shutoff.
    via RadioShack
  • 08

    Magestic!

    High-Power Remote-Control Stereo Rack Systems NEW FOR '90 120-Watt Amplifier, Hi-Speed Dubbing. Digital Tuning, Equalizer, 15" Woofers 799" Low As $40 Per Month Shown with optional CD player-recordings not included 100-Watt Amplifier, High-Speed Dubbing, Digital Tuning, Equalizer and 12" Woofers NEW FOR '90 64995 Low As $33 Per Month ■Wireless Remote Control Five-Band Equalizer Dual Cassette Deck With Auto-Reverse Digital Synthesized Tuner Separate Turntable LED Spectrum Analyzer Three-Way Speak
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  • 09

    We all got one for our birthday and never used it again

    Special-Feature Realistic Portable Keyboards 100-Sound Tone Bank 4-Note Polyphonic 19 Rhythms NEW FOR '90 5995 Available September 30, 1989 Concertmate-450. Experiment with 100 different preset sounds, 19 rhythms and 13 types of accompaniment to create your own distinct brand of music. Tone bank simu- lates a wide range of musical instruments and effects- everything from church organ to "cosmic" sounds. Mini keys make full 4-note chord playing easy. Adjustable vol- ume and tempo controls, demo b
    via RadioShack
  • 10

    These were so comfortable!

    Realistic® Full-Size Headphones for Super Stereo The Ultimate in Personal Stereo Listening Studio-Quality Stereo for Your Listening Pleasure PRO 70 NEW FOR '90 Specially Engineered For Digital Audio (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) 6995 Gold-Plated Plug! Available Sept. 30, 1989 40mm Titanium-Evaporated Diaphragms for Ultrawide Audio Response Realistic PRO-70. Our very finest full-size headphones! Titanium-evaporated technology sets new standards in dis- tinct, extraordinarily smooth high-fidelity so
    via RadioShack
  • 11

    Fingers crossed they don't start talking halfway through the song

    Record and Play Your Favorite Music On-the-Go Dynamic Bass Boost System NEW FOR '90 19995 Available Sept. 30, 1989 Low As $15 Per Month ■Biamplification and Amplified Subwoofer Deliver Bass Like No Ordinary Portable Can High-Speed Dubbing 3-Band Equalizer Realistic SCR-39. Crank up powerful, pulsating bass with the dynamic bass boost control. Record directly from FM stereo, AM or external sources, add mikes for "live" stereo recordings, or copy personal tapes in half the usual time with high-spe
    via RadioShack
  • 12

    This was everything back then

    Carry Along a STEREO-MATE® Personal Cassette AM/FM Stereo Cassette Players-Entertainment for People On the Go "SALINC 9995 Auto-Reverse And Dolby NR Low As $15 Per Month Realistic SCP-27. Our best! Auto- reverse plays both sides of tape and Dolby NR cuts tape hiss. Metal/normal tape switch. 44 x 35 x 12" Requires 2 "AA" batteries or AC or DC adapter. 14-1047 (TSP available) 99.95 7995 Dolby NR Cuts Tape Hiss Realistic SCP-25. Selectable auto- reverse plays both sides of tape once or continuously
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  • 13

    We used to record funny sketches on these

    Realistic® Portable Cassette Recorders for Everyone Voice-Actuated and Desktop Portable Recorders 3995 Variable Speech Control Recorder* (1) 49 95 (2) 29 95 (3) NEW 6995 FOR '90 (4) (5) 29.95 (6) 59.95 (7) 4995 (8) 6995 (1) Realistic CTR-73. A super "notetaker". Auto-stop saves batteries and pro- tects tapes. Has cue/review, built-in mike, tone control, tape counter, LED record/ battery indicator and auto-level. Jack for adding external mike. 14 x 52 x 10%" UL listed AC (or 4 "C" batteries or DC
    via RadioShack
  • 14

    This is how my dad talked to people at his job

    66 Driving Friends That You Can Always Depend On REALISTIC VOLUME SQUELCH 40 (1) TRC-477 REALISTIC 10415 VOLLE QUELCH 40 CHANNEL THG-400 (2) REAUSTIC VOLUME SQUELCH CH 40 DOWN ANL (3) BAL/TE POWER VOLLIME SOUELCH 40 VOLUME SQUELCH GAIN REALISTIC TRC-423 40 CAL/TX POWER DOWN UP REALISTIC TRC-476 CB/WEATHERADIO 40 SONAL DOWN 2 ANL VOLUME UP CHP CHS OUT QUELCH CALISC MIC GAN CH B SQUELCH F GAIN FUNCTION wx 40 REALISTIC TC-47 (4) (5) (6) NEW FOR '90 Keep Your Road Travel Safe And Fun With a Realisti
    via RadioShack
  • 15

    I would talk to my brother from the next room

    Stay in Touch With Realistic® CB Walkie-Talkies High-Performance 2-Way Radios With Superhet Receivers Just Right for Work, Pleasure or Travel Include Channel 14 Crystals 40-Channel Models Come Ready-to-Use On All CB Channels-No Crystals to Buy (1) Realistic TRC-87. One Channel, 100mW. Features up-front combination speaker/mike, side-mounted volume/on-off control, push-to-talk button, tele- scoping antenna and wrist strap. 6% x 3 x 14" Requires 9V battery. 21-1609. 19.95 (2) Realistic TRC-89. Thr
    via RadioShack
  • 16

    2 way radios! what will they think of next

    Stay in Touch With Our Affordable 2-Way Radios REALIStic MTX-120 VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER REAUSTIC 54 REALISTIC Full-Feature 54-Channel Marine VHF Transceivers 70 External Mike/Speaker 40 4995 For MTX-120. Has pocket clip. coiled cord. CMC 19-104 Rechargeable Portable* 25995 Low As $15 Per Month Includes Battery Pack and AC Charger ■Receives NOAA Weather Channels Realistic® MTX-120. Dependable, take-anywhere marine two-way with one-touch access to Calling/ Emergency Channel 16. Provides 54 US/inte
    via RadioShack
  • 17

    Auto-Dialing!

    Auto-Dialing, Special-Feature and 2-Line Phones (1) Desk/Wall Phones With Memory (2) (3) Special Features for Special Needs (1) NEW FOR H (3) (4) 5 78 NEW FOR 90 All With Switchable Touch-Tone/Pulse Dialing (1) Radio Shack ET-282 Slim-Fone". Auto-dials up to 20 phone numbers of up to 16 digits each. Redial button with pause for systems requiring access code. Hi/ lo/off ringer control. White, 43-542. Almond, 43-548 (TSP available) 29.95 (2) Radio Shack ET-292 Trim-Fone". Features lighted keypad f
    via RadioShack
  • 18

    Let me put you on hold

    DUōFONE 4-Line Phones-Centrex/PABX Compatible DUOFONE THE WEY Available Nov. 15, 1989 With Intercom, Auto-Dialing, Speakerphone 19995 Per Station Low As $15 Per Month NEW FOR '90 Expandable to 10 Stations ■Built-In 2-Way Intercom-Requires No Additional Wiring ■Call Any Station or Page All Through Built-In Speakers Hold Button LED Status Indicator for Each Phone Line ■Speakerphone for On-Hook Dialing and Hands-Free Calls DUOFONE® System 412. This versatile system handles up to four phone lines an
    via RadioShack
  • 19

    The answering machine used to be a big part of our lives

    Our DUŎFONE Line...Answering America's Calls™ Remote, Digital Voice Prompts, Time/Date Stamp ■Beeperless Remote Controls All Major Functions From Any Touch-Tone Phone or With Pocket Dialer ■Digital Voice Gives Helpful Operating Prompts Announces Number of Calls Received and Messages Left Plus Time/Date of Each Message During Review 139 Low As $15 NEW FOR '90 Per Month DUOFONE TAD-440 Answerer. Gives helpful verbal instructions and "stamps" the time and date on each incoming message. Features var
    via RadioShack
  • 20

    Such fun!

    Hey Kids! Have Fun With These Personal Radios AM/FM Bike Radio With Electronic Horn Children's Sing-Along Phonograph 2495 ■Built-In 3" Safety Reflector ■Doubles As a Portable Archer Road Patrol". Mounts on most handlebars, yet the radio removes easily for portable use or safekeeping- bracket stays on bike. Has 21/2" speaker in a weatherized case. 3/2 × 5%x3% Requires 3 "C" batteries. 12-200 24.95 The Famous Mickey Mouse Radio 8.95 Kids Love to Take Him Along Wrist Strap Built-In Antennas Rotate
    via RadioShack
  • 21

    Everyone and (especially) their grandma had one

    All With Battery Backup and Battery Sentinel®LED TERCEL Battery Backup During AC Failure If AC power fails, backup system keeps clock run- ning up to eight hours, without display, and oper- ates alarm at the time you've set. BATTERY SENTINEL Exclusive Battery Sentinel System A special circuit automatically tests the backup battery daily. Front-panel Sentinel LED lights up to warn you if battery is weak or not in place. Clock Radios With Dual Alarms for Two Separate Wake-Up Times Easy-to-See Fluo
    via RadioShack
  • 22

    "A LITTLE MORE TO THE LEFT!"

    America's Finest Values in Television Antennas ARCHER HIGH-DEFINITION/STEREO-CERTIFIED COLOR SUPREMEPlus THREE ANTENNAS IN ONE! VHF UHF FM VU-120 5697 VU-210 11997 vu-190 8997 VU-160 6997 VU-75 2697 VU-110 4397 vu-90 3597 $3.99 Value Signal Splitter Included! Separates VHF-UHF-FM Outputs-Only One Downlead Required! High Tensile-Strength Aluminum for Long Life UHF Yagi and Corner Reflector Combination Strong Square Boom With "No-Tilt" Clamp Snap-Open Elements For Easy Installation 60° "Swept-Desi
    via RadioShack
  • 23

    The universal remote

    Take Control of Your A/V System With One Remote Universal 8-in-1 Remote Control With LCD Display, Clock and 10-Event Timer NEW Super Value! Universal Remote Control- A Full-Featured Four-in-One Controller SEND BATT OFF MUTE FOR '90 4995 VOLUME 12:49 VOL-ON SELACY SSPLA EXTER Lock RECALL REPEAT THIYOR FUT DAGARICE CAMEL STOPE LEATH SCHOLL REALISTIC PROGRAMMABLE EIGHT in ONE UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL 9995 Low As $15 Per Month ■Replaces Up to Eight Infrared Remotes Ten 7-Day Programmable Timers With
    via RadioShack
  • 24

    Robie the Robot!

    Electronic Learning Toys for Fun and Education Developed to Give Kids a Head Start (1) (2) (3) Radio-Controlled Action Cars FUN CALC PLAY AND ANY NE (1) SPELLING TUTOR SPELEN MATTO (4) (6) MATH TUTOR Items (2) through (7) require 2 "AA" batteries (5) (7) FM Wireless Microphone 695 Makes Every Youngster A Star Tune to a blank spot on the FM radio band and go on-the-air or use as a mini PA system. Requires 2 AA batteries. 60-2109 6.95 Programmable Organ 1795 ■Built-In Speaker 25 Keys Compose and p
    via RadioShack
  • 25

    Those Joysticks bring back memories

    Archer® Relays, Game Joysticks and Assortments Super Selection of Relays-All Include Data and Handy Pin-Out Diagram Radio Shack has a quality Archer brand relay for nearly every need. All are enclosed to prevent contamination by dust and moisture. Fig. 8 fits a 14-pin DIP socket. Fig. Description Coil Contacts and Rating Size Cat. No. Each 2 10-Amp Plug-In 10-Amp Plug-In 1 Plug-In With Socket 12VDC, 75 mA, 1502 12VDC, 130 mA, 1600 125VAC, 15 mA, 45000 DPDT. 3A at 125VAC 14 x 1 x * 275-206 5.99 D
    via RadioShack
  • 26

    The Automated Home of the Future

    The Automated Home of the Future is Here Today Enjoy Security and Convenience at the Touch of a Button Total Home Control ■Give Your Home a "Lived-In" Look, Anytime Program Lights/Appliances to Save Energy Easy Setup No New Wiring Required You can control lights and appliances around your home from one location with a Plug 'n Power remote-control system. Easy-to- program controllers send high-frequency sig- nals through existing house wiring to modules which turn lights and appliances on and off
    via RadioShack
  • 27

    Having a digital watch was such a flex

    Our Micronta Brand-Watchword of Precision High-Style Multifunction Watches (1) VoxWatch. Announces time hourly or at the touch of a button. Alarm tells time, plays melody. Snooze, stopwatch, time/date. With RS 393 batteries. 63-5040 49.95 (2) Analog/Digital Chronowatch. Analog dial with hour/ minute/second hands plus LCD chronograph. Water resis- tant to 98 feet. With RS 399 battery. 63-5030 29.95 (3) Analog. Water resistant to 150-foot depth. Day/date display. With RS 399 battery. 63-5065. 19.9
    via RadioShack
  • 28

    Just in case we want to launch a spaceship into orbit

    Powerful Scientific and Programmable Calculators Formula Programmable 5995 128 Built-In Formulas 12 Programmable Memories With a Total 675 Steps Radio Shack EC-4023. Large multiline display shows formula and prompts you for input vari- able. Formulas for mathematics, physics, me- chanics, electricity/electronics and statistics. 10-digit mantissa, 2-digit exponent. 5% x 2x With billfold case, two CR2032 bat- teries. 65-987 Scientific Formula 3495 23 Built-In Formulas ■2 Programmable Formulas Radi
    via RadioShack
  • 29

    I can hear this picture (And it sounds like the smoke monster from LOST for some reason)

    The Best in Desk and Portable Printing Calculators Easy-to-Read 10-Digit Fluorescent Tube Pork NEW FOR '90 Slim-Line Desktop With Jumbo Display NEW FOR '90 33333 1234567890 6995 Full Four-Key Memory Calculations MU Key for Fast Computation of Markup Radio Shack EC-3019. Unerring choice for bookkeepers, auditors, accountants or anyone using a calculator throughout the working day. Features built-in functions of markup, discount/add-ons and mixed calculations. Has percent key, round-off, "00" key,
    via RadioShack
  • 30

    A fax machine - for 1099$

    TM TANDYFAX 1000 Is the Money-Saving Way to Send Vital Information Across Town or Worldwide-Fast Send and Receive Crisp, Legible Copies In Just Seconds Per Page NEW LOW PRICE! Was $1299.00 in 1989 Catalog 109900 Low As $55 Per Month M M III FUNCTION TANDYFAX 1000 There's No Need to Put Off Till Overnight What You Can TANDYFAX Right Away! ■Maintains and Prints a Record of All Transactions Also Makes Copies-Doubles As a Convenient Personal Copier Programmable Security Password Assures Confidential
    via RadioShack
  • 31

    For just 2599$ you can print!

    Deluxe Tandy Laser Printer is Loaded With Features A For Professional Word Processing 2599⁰⁰ Commercial Lease Available For Only $95 Per Month (Plus Applicable Use/Sales Tax) ■1.5-MB Memory for Full-Page Graphics Printing ■Complete-No Special Controller Board Required ■Includes Popular Soft Fonts at No Extra Cost LP 1000. Delivers laser-sharp print clarity that rivals professional typeset quality! Ideal for word processing and desktop publishing. Quietly prints up to six pages a minute. Tandy, I
    via RadioShack
  • 32

    640K RAM, 40 megabytes of data storage and real-time clock/calendar! what a beast!

    The Best-Selling PC Compatibles Made in America 286-Based Tandy 1000 TL/2 Offers High Performance For Small Business and Home Office Applications 129900 NEW Less monitor and mouse Welcome To Desiate FOR '90 Low As $65 Per Month Intel® 80286 Microprocessor Gives You Extraordinary Speed and Processing Power 640K RAM and 3½" Disk Drive Are Standard New SmartDrive™ Technology Provides Low-Cost Hard Disk Expansion Tandy 1000 TL/2. Absolutely packed with features! MS-DOS and the DeskMate Graphical Use
    via RadioShack
  • 33

    Look at that 99$ mouse!

    Expansion and Upgrade Options for the Tandy 1000 Joysticks Add Control and Excitement NEW FOR '90 (1) Simplify Cursor Control With a Mouse (2) (3) 2995 istol-Grip Joystick. Our best Came stick! Comfortable molded design lets you get a etter "grip" on the action for quick response. Delivers pre- ise cursor control to give you he "edge". Self-centering with buttons on joystick and ase. For all Tandy 1000-series computers. 26-3123..29.95 2295 NEW LOW PRICE! Deluxe Joy- stick. Accurate cursor contro
    via RadioShack
  • 34

    Exciting 3-D Graphics

    Tandy® 1000 Game Software for Tons of Fun We Have Games for You-From Science Fiction to TV Game Shows Exciting 3-D Graphics Adventure Set in "King's Quest IV" Rescue the Andromedans in "Space Quest III" Football the Way John Madden Likes It-Hard and Fast NEW! F-19 Stealth Fighter. Fly the fighter the Air Force didn't want to talk about! The F-19 Stealth can't be detected by radar, so you can move in fast and hit hard. 25-1290...... 54.95 King's Quest IV. Travel with Rosella to a mystical land to
    via RadioShack
  • 35

    So portable!

    Tandy 1400 PC-Compatible Laptop Computers T Tandy 1400 FD with 2 Built-In 720K 3½" Disk Drives 149900 " 17-10-1 417-23 NEW States to FOR '90 Low As $75 Per Month TANDY The Efficiency and Power of a Desktop Computer You Can Use Anywhere Tandy 1400 HD with 20MB Hard Drive and 720K 3½" Drive 2499⁰⁰ Commercial Lease Available For Only $90 Per Month (Plus Applicable Use/Sales Tax) Rechargeable Battery Pack Ensures Power When and Where You Need It NEW FOR '90 With the 1400 HD's Built-in Hard Disk, You
    via RadioShack

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1990s 90s memes retro nostalgia 80s music Nostalgia Overload 80s 90s kids 90s memory lane nostalgia memes millennial-nostalgia 1980s
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