Invasion Of The Super Duper Advanced TVs In 1951, far outdistanced by RCA Victor, Admiral and Du Mont, Westinghouse and Philco entered a race as to who could make a TV set not based as much on electronic science as hype. Both claimed perfect reception with a "built in" antenna (nothing more than twin lead wiring wrapped around the cabinet) which, they claimed, would replace outdoor masts and indoor "rabbit ears." Of course, they couldn't, except if one lived right next to the station transmitters. Both claimed "advanced" circuitry, in truth, both chintzed on the vacuum tube count and quality of components (capacitors, resistors and transformers). This to bring to stores low priced sets. Can you guess? They had very short life spans and, because of overdriving cheaper components, made the repair services busy for those who even bothered to get the cheapie-TV fixed. (More...)

Ironically, both used cutsie all American girls, little and not so, in hooped skirts to show mommy and daddy how easy it was to twist the dials. Then, both brands, Andrea, Capehart and Stromberg-Carlson, came out in the early 60's with picture tubes that could be carried (with high voltage cables attached) separately from the controls and speaker, for whatever reason. Consumers weren't impressed. The sets were less than exquisite looking in any decor.

Think today's Sony batteries were the first exploding electronics? Zenith, in the late 60's, came out with vacuum tube "instant on" TV. A few home fires ended that not too bright idea.

Now, as all today's "branding,"the Westinghouse and Philco names are slapped on the similar Asian imported TV sets (same ic's, different cosmetics) sold at our favorite department store. (Mext: Top 10 Reasons To Kick Your TV

TOP TEN REASONS YOU'D KICK YOUR 50's ERA TV SET

10. LOUSY RECEPTION DURING THE SHOW, IT WAS FINE DURING THE COMMERCIALS:
9. ONE ELECTRON VACUUM TUBE OR ANOTHER BLEW OUT ONCE A MONTH
Aunt Lucy stole wrong tube no's 6AV6, not 6AU6!, or ones from the defective bin

8. THE SET OVERHEATED & BLEW UP ON A 90 DEGREE NIGHT
Gabby blow hard Earl next door, full of hot air, was visiting.
and instead of in the drink, you felt like putting the ice cubes up...

7. YOUR SET WAS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT NEEDED A NEW PICTURE TUBE.
The repair guy, who looked like Al Capone, wanted $250 to being the chasis back.
You paid your nephew ten bucks to go behind the screen with mustache, glasses & cigar.

5. SUNDAY NIGHT, THE STONES WERE ON ED SULLIVAN. MICK'S JUMPING ...SO'S THE PICTURE ON THE SET
You turn the Horizontal Control knob left and right, the picture still jumps up and down
So do you.

4. DIATHERMY (WAVEY BARS) INTERFERENCE CAME ON WHEN THE LOCAL HOSPITAL USED THEIR X-RAY MACHINES
One Tuesday night, Diathermy Bars from 8PM to 11PM continuously. Techs left the X-Ray on after the last patient left;
They were watching "Dr. Kildaire" and "Ben Casey."

3. WORLD SERIES SUNDAY: YOUR NEIGHBOR'S KID FLIES HIS PLANE INTO YOUR ROOF ANTENNA>
He cries, "My plane!" You cry, "My Yankees!"

2. IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE OF "THE FUGITIVES"
All seven TV stations pre-empt programming for a Presidential Address (they did in those days)
You know where you'd like to stuff the one armed man's other arm.

1. YOU FIND A MOUSE CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT INSIDE THE BACK OF YOUR TV.
You ask the two toothed rodent what he's doing there. He sez. "It's a Westinghouse, wight? So I'm westing."

RATE THIS OLDIES TV TECHNO-HYPE W CLIP