Sharp GF-777 "The Searcher-W" Boombox, circa 1984

This is one of the first 50 Apple 1 computers. Apple 1s were the first pre-assembled personal computers; Steve Wozniak assembled this one in Steve Jobs's family home. Before the release of the Apple 1, owning a personal computer meant building it yourself. Wozniak's refined engineering skills, coupled with Jobs's bold marketing abilities, led to a revolutionary and affordable product--as well as a successful company.

Explore the story of the “Pocket Radio” manufactured by the Auto Indicator Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and learn how it fits into the history of radio and audio entertainment.

The Henry Ford recently acquired a trio of classic boomboxes to document stories about the growth of mobile media and the social communication of music in American culture. Learn more on our blog.

This group of artifacts from our collections traces the idea of "portable music" from the early 20th century to present day.