Denshi Block

A denshi block, also known as electronic block, is cube shaped and made of transparent plastic encapsulating an electronic component at its centre. It has terminals, which connect to the component inside it. Depending upon the connecting system, the size of the blocks and the positioning of the terminals will vary. The very first designs had flat pins, which slotted into similarly shaped holes in a plastic board known as a denshi board.

Blocks – SR Series

As you can see, the block usually has an electronic circuit symbol indicating the terminals. For resistors and capacitors, there is usually a value printed on it. Each block has one component inside it; however, the tuning capacitor and the ferrite rod were usually inside the same block as they form a tuned electronic circuit.

Transformer

History

Nojiri Takashi invented it in 1960 whilst working as a law enforcement officer measuring the speed of traffic. He saw the advantages of encapsulating components within blocks to make different circuits, and simultaneously eliminating the need of soldering. This idea had huge merit within the education sectors, and in September 1964, he founded DENSHI BLOCK Mfg. In 1965, he patented this idea and launched the first deluxe radio (DR) line of products. The DR-7 was a high-end luxury product consisting of ivory blocks with gold engraving. Ivory was extremely unpopular, expensive, and ethically wrong, and he realised that he could make a greater profit by making the product from plastic and selling it as an educational toy.

The launching of SR-1A and SR-2A was in 1968, and they used transparent plastic blocks in the design. The transparent plastic gave it a futuristic look, and was useful to beginners as they could see the component inside. The following year, SR-3A and SR-3A deluxe versions came out, and a year later (1970) they launched DR-4A, which employed an integrated circuit (IC). During this time Gakken was their competitor, however they had powerful sales channels that could increase their sales. Hence, in 1973 there was an alliance between the two firms, and today, there are many different types of denshi blocks with different connecting systems.

This Article Continues...