UPDATE 1 April 22nd 2017

The first batch of starters are on the site, and my grateful thanks for all that input.

I have not kept a specific list of ages, but the average age of those I have ambushed is (well) over 50

Almost every UK "subject" recounts tales of exploring the family radiogram and being given some sort of electronics kit at the age of 8-12.

I particularly enjoyed G8NOF's comments that he got a Philips electronics kit with a MW radio project, but thanks to winding the coils with a few less turns than  he should, he found topband and these strange creatures called "hams".

And this story lead me to find that here is (of course) a fabulous resource for connoisseurs of vintage electrionic kits  entitled "Grant's vintage electronics and electrical kit collection" I think I found exactly the kit Glenn was referring to - complete with AF117 germanium transistor!

1970's Philips Radio EE1003 Electronic Kit Set

Today's kids are using raspberry pi and Arduino single board computers - are they also getting a grounding in the basics of discrete components?

Well they should be with products like this available from Snap Circuits  in the USA, available from cpc.co.uk in the UK.