World War II–era US Army BC-611-F Radio Receiver and Transmitter, popularly known as the 'walkie talkie,' engraved with serial number "232" on the identification plate. The terminal panels inside the hinged battery door are marked with French text, while the inner panel is labeled in English. Complete with its canvas strap and extendable antenna with screw-on cover. Under the Army Nomenclature System, the BC-611 transceiver was the core component of the SCR-536 Signal Corps Radio set; these were the first handheld two-way radios to see widespread use, and they saw action throughout World War II including during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Many consider the BC-611 to be the forefather of the modern cellular phone, which was also developed by Motorola.
