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...)
RATE THIS OLDIES TV TECHNO-HYPE W CLIP
Average Viewer Rating: *********
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."
Viewer Comments:
6.30.10 BillyK, NJ My mom & dad brought a 21" Zenith color tv in 1962 it lasted til 1991. I think the repair was called in three times during its lifetime. They finally got rid of it in 91' cause the verical output part of the set went.. I remeber him saying that it would cost about 125.00 to fix if he could track down the parts. He say no and the repair guy wanted the set.. My father gave it to him and he didn't charge him to come look at it. Who knows, maybe its still around.
5.28.10 BillC, NJ Correction: Zenith NEVER made an 'Instant-On' set. Those were made by Westinghouse, and also sold under the Sears/Silvertone Brand. They used a rectifier diode across the on/off switch to supply 1/2 line voltage to the tubes at all times, cutting warm-up time to a few seconds.
5.28.10 Lou @ Oldiestelevision.com quotes According to Jerry Krupnick, Newark, NJ Star Ledger
5.28.10 PinkPoodle, TX What fun it is to see the old black & white commercials again!
5.25.10 Donnie, TX All sets in that era were bad, not just Westinghouse. Whoever wrote this must have been a disgruntled, fired employee.
5.14.10 timtron, ME much enjoyed the bull contained in the westinghouse ad
5.12.10 howcome, NY Why does the clip say "1955 Arthur Godfrey Show" at the end?
5.12.10 Lou @ oldiestelevision.com responds The clip is a compilation of
three Big W blurbs over a span of time.
5.10.10 VuULF, OR AWESOME HISTORICAL CONTENT!
5.01.10 fat*ss55, LA The top 10 list was lame; everything else was fun and informative
5.01.10 mrgee, NY yeah, we had a westinghouse at one time it was horrible
Website (c)2002-2010
Carlson International ECG USA