What Happened to Heathkit?

What Happened to Heathkit?

 

heathkit

Heathkit is a name that almost all electronics hobbyists are familiar with. Either you were old enough to be seeing the kits come out new, or you were like me and grew up with the kits as staples in every lab and garage. For those who are unfamiliar, Heathkit was a company that put out kits and educational electronics materials from the 40s through the 80s. There’s a virtual museum where you can explore some of the kits, ranging from HAM radios, to stereo equipment and even a computer.

Sadly Heathkit stopped producing kits, leaving many people yearning for the companies return. Strangely, there have been several announcements of the return of the kit producer, but not much has come of it.

Back in 2011, Phillip Torrone shared his excitement about Heathkit’s possible return. Unfortunately, nothing happened in 2011. In 2013, another big announcement was made that the company was going to return, and again, nothing has happened.

Phillip has dug in and researched out everything he can find about who owns what parts of Heathkit and what the current status is. He may have uncovered more questions than answers, but it is a fascinating read nonetheless. Head over to Adafruit and see what you can decipher.

0 thoughts on “What Happened to Heathkit?

  1. no says:

    “… leaving many people yearning for the company’s return.”

    companies != company’s

    1. Zippo63 says:

      Actually it was correct.

      It’s the shortened version of:
”… leaving many people yearning for the company, and its return.”
      It would appear the same in similar contexts, such as:
”…the company’s return to the American marketplace…” “…the company’s signature line of electronic kits…”
      Because the company is singular as subject. If the story regarded a number of similar companies acting as or being affected as a collective whole,
      then it would read something like “… this new tax law affects the
      companies’ bottom line much more deeply than in previous filing
      years…”. 
As well, the return is something that belongs to the company, much in the same way the company’s mission, outlook, staff, parking lot, or the boiler is.

      I know it looks wrong, but it’s technically correct.

  2. Zippo63 says:

    (edit to put response in proper order)

  3. google says:

    I want to see what what it feels like to have a million dollars in bitcoins. My bitcoin donation address is 3FsNSHj1HTvmTiKdr7NAFBpUo7CGVgsHNe lettheloveflow2015@gmail.com

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I get ridiculously excited seeing people make things. I just want to revel in the creativity I see in makers. My favorite thing in the world is sharing a maker's story. find me at CalebKraft.com

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