In the 1950s, with the airwaves filling with the sounds of rock 'n' roll, America was changing into a "transistor" nation. Deciding to capitalize on the popularity of radio, Winchester designated a prototype .308 Model 70 with a built-in radio in 1955. A speaker was set into the right side of the stock with a series of holes — carved in the trademark "W" outline — allowing the sound to be heard. Presented as a glittering show gun, the new Winchester soon proved a hard sell.