[BC] 1950s' transistor radios pointed to more tech, changes

[r.j.carpenter]

I am rather confused by RichardBJohnson's contention that the standard 
British electric plug is symmetric and can be plugged in either way.

The British standard since the 1950s is a huge rectangular-pin affair 
which contains a fuse and (usually) contains a switch.
http://www.kropla.com/!g.htm

By the end of the 1960s most of the earlier style
http://www.kropla.com/!d.htm
and been replaced by the present style. I suppose that two-pin 
non-earthed plugs existed for this earlier style.

Don't tell anyone, but my pin adapter for European outlets will also 
work in the present British socket.

Steve Kropla's site is a good resource.

bob carpenter