Sorry, Geoff, the scene was set in 1945. The transistor was first demonstrated on December 23, 1947. And as you pointed out, the first transistor radios weren't sold until late 1954.
The item in question is Hartz Mountain Goldfish Food. Scroll down:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Hartz-Mount...tle_W0QQitemZ290033708538QQcmdZV iewItem