We had an old Pilot. Battery operated. It had a high tension battery the size of a large book which consisted of a load of dry cells in series. The last few cells had connectors on them so that you could adjust the voltage. there was a small grid bias battery and a glass two volt accumulator which we used to take to the local garage (mechanic's shop) every week to get recharged.

We used to listen to such shows as "Twenty Questions" and "Much Binding in the Marsh"

Before that we had a big old wooden thingie with a gramaphone in the top. That was when I was about three and was going to marry Vera Lynn when I grew up.