Few people have heard of it, yet John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 was the first commercially available personal computer.
Radiomann Tube Radio Kit
By James Grahame
Kosmos Radiomann kits were first introduced 70 years ago. A lot has changed in the world of technology since 1935, but you can still build an updated version of the German original. It comes complete with glowing vacuum tube and wooden case. Because you construct it yourself, the set can be quickly modified (instructions for over 30 experiments are included). The unit is battery powered so you don't have to worry about accidentally zapping yourself with high voltage, and can be configured to receive AM and shortwave broadcasts.
I hate to reveal my top-secret sources, but I found the Radiomann while thumbing through the latest Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. So much for the Retro Thing mystique.
Kosmos Radiomann kit (Hammacher Schlemmer)
