This Article Series is part of the Looking Back at Electronic History series: Rise and Fall of Radio Shack and Heathkit
You can read this article online or download the full article in .PDF format, including high resolution graphics and schematics.
The venerable Heathkit served generations of hobbyists and engineers alike of all ages. Its doors may be shut, but you can still build circuits and equipment yourself at home in your workshop, thanks to companies like SparkFun. Download Communications Editor Lou Frenzel's history of Heathkit as well as his look at SparkFun, its heir apparent.