Early versions of EE 1050, EE 1051 and EE 1052

Early versions of EE 1003, EE 1004 and EE 1005

Variants of the early EE 1050 and EE 1003 boxes

Inner part of the early EE 1050 and EE 1003 boxes

The short-lived EE 1010 and EE 1011

Transitional versions of EE 1050 and EE 1003

Late versions of EE 1050, EE 1051 and EE 1052

Late version of EE 1003, EE 1004 and EE 1005

EE 1006 and EE 1000. EE 1000 came in a light grey plastic suitcase, the upper picture shows the paper wrapper outside this, the lower shows the inside.

EE 1007 and EE 1008

The EE 1040 box

The EE 1000 series

There were two main generations of this series with different box design and a greater range of kits in the later version. Kits existing in both generations are fully compatible with the other generation, the main differences being the mechanical design of some components.

Early (1967–1969)

The earlier version consisted of two basic kits (the smaller EE 1050 and the larger EE 1003) each having two expansions (EE 1051 and EE 1004 for audio, EE 1052 and EE 1005 for radio). The smaller ones were sometimes called Compact or Junior kits. The EE 1004 and 05 kits were not available until 1968, and unlike the expansions for the compact series, they weren't covered by the manual of the main kit (this was later changed).

The early version of the series was, as its predecessor the EE 20 series, sold under the Norelco brand in the US.

The diagrams shows the kits in the early version of the series; basic kits on grey background, expansions on white.

EE 1050, 51 and 52 togheter are comparable to EE 1003, but due to the smaller construction area and control panel, it is not possible to expand this combination further with EE 1004 or 05.

Transitional (1969/1970)

In 1969, EE 1050 and EE 1003 were repackaged in boxes of a new design, but as far as I can tell, no changes were made to the contents at this time. Most of these kits came with the same manuals as the early versions, but the latest ones may have included the revised manuals from 1970.

At approximately the same time (possibly in the following year) the short-lived EE 1010 basic kit and its EE 1011 expansion were made, with the same box design style. Together these two kits equalled EE 1003, and could be further expanded with EE 1004 or 05. In spite of their short life span (so short that they didn't even appear in any of the catalogs), EE 1010s were shipped with three different manuals: a slightly updated version of the old EE 1003 manual, the EE 1003/04/05 manual from 1970 and the dedicated EE 1010/11 manual – also from 1970, but lacking an update present in EE 1003/04/05 and hence probably earlier than that one.

From this point on, non-German versions seems to become rarer – I haven't seen any English, Spanish or Italian language version of kits from this generation or later, although at least English and Italian versions of some kits in the later EE 2000 series must have existed.

Near the end of this turbulent period, the mechanical design of some components were updated, most notably the hairpin springs and the switch.

The diagrams shows the kits in the transitional version of the series; basic kits on grey background, expansions on white. EE 1010 and EE 1011 were together equivalent to EE 1003 and could be further expanded by EE 1004 or EE 1005. The italicised kits are identical to the early ones.

Late (1970–1973)

In 1970, EE 1010 and EE 1011 were discontinued (surplus boxes folded inside out were later used for EE 1004 kits and the EE 1003 to EE 2003 conversion kit). All remaining kits – the same as in the original series – were repackaged with new box designs similar to the transitional versions. The manuals were also revised, with the contents of the EE 1003, EE 1004 and EE 1005 manuals merged into one book, and a companion volume Technische Erläuterungen were included with both the new EE 1050/51/52 and EE 1003/04/05 manuals.

By 1972, four new kits had been added: the expansion EE 1006, and the large EE 1000, which is equivalent to EE 1003 with the three expansions EE 1004/05/06; as well as the EE 1007 expansion (independent of EE 1004/05/06, being based directly on EE 1003) with which an oscilloscope can be built, and the EE 1008 expansion (requiring EE 1003 and 07) with which a TV can be built. Many of the EE 1006 constructions could be made in combination with EE 1003 alone, but as others require EE 1004 and/or 05 without this requirement being stated specifically, I have shown EE 1006 as dependent on both these kits in the diagram below.

The EE 1006 manual had the same design and layout as EE 1003/04/05, and was included along with this in the EE 1000 kit. The EE 1007/08 manual differed markedly from these, however. Instead of a typeset and stapled or glue-bound A5 book, it consisted of a loose-leaf collection of A4 photocopies of typewritten text. The quality of the illustrations is not in itself inferior to that of the other books, but photographies in particular suffer quite a bit from the reproduction process.

In 1973, the small EE 1040 kit was released. The contents of this kit is actually identical to EE 2040, though the box and manual covers show pictures of a kit in the EE 1000 series style. This kit is not connected to any of the other ones by expansions.

The diagrams shows the kits in the later version of the series (1972); basic kits on grey background, expansions on white.

The end

In 1974, the EE 2000 series succeeded the EE 1000 series. This change was considerably smaller than the one between EE 1000 and its predecessor, the EE 20 series.

Constructions

List of constructions for all kits in the series.

Manuals

EE 1050/51/52 (early)	EE 1003 (early)
EE 1004 (early and transitional)	EE 1005 (early and transitional)
EE 1050 (English, early variant)	EE 1003 (English, early variant)
EE 1050 (Dutch)	EE 1003/10/11 (Dutch)
EE 1003 (Dutch)	EE 1006 (Dutch)
EE 1050/51/52 (late)	EE 1010/11
EE 1003/04/05 (late)	EE 1006 (late)
Technische Erläuterungen	EE 1000 Additional leaflet
EE 1007/08	EE 1040

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Tor Gjerde <i@old.no>