[bentpins]

I have fond memories of Dick Smith. My dad bought my first soldering iron, along with some soldering projects (I remember the FM Wireless Microphone from here https://ia801002.us.archive.org/3/items/dicksmithsfunwayinto... ). You could tell the people creating the kits were really keen to share their love of electronics.

You could buy loose components out of trays, and it seemed like they had a bunch more unusual adapters and gadgets that wouldn't interest a typical consumer. But they gradually became just a retailer for big brand items.

[cjak]

The Dick Smith Funway books were a gateway drug for this primary school nerd. They were so simple even a parent could participate. https://archive.org/details/dicksmithsfunwayintoelectronicsv...