GoldStar Produces South Korea's First 6-Transistor Radio

In March 1960, GoldStar Co., Ltd. manufactured South Korea's first domestically produced 12-inch electric fan, marking an important milestone in the country's household appliance industry. Established by Koo In-hwoi in 1958, GoldStar initially focused on radio production before expanding into other electrical consumer products. The introduction of the 12-inch electric fan represented one of the company's earliest steps into household appliance manufacturing. By producing electric fans domestically, GoldStar helped develop South Korea's electrical appliance industry and offered consumers a locally manufactured alternative to imported products. The development of the 12-inch electric fan became an important achievement in GoldStar's transformation into a diversified electronics and home appliance manufacturer. It demonstrated the company's ability to expand beyond radio technology into electrical products designed for everyday household use. This milestone preceded several major manufacturing achievements, including South Korea's first domestically produced refrigerator in 1965 and black-and-white television in 1966. The early success of products such as the electric fan helped establish the foundations for LG Electronics, which later became a globally recognized manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronics.