Vintage Small Appliances

Televisions

Sneered at (and yet enjoyed) by millions, television has been around long enough for the sets themselves to become collectible.  Though typically housed in plain wooden, metal, or plastic boxes, there have been outbursts of creativity in TV design.


WESTINGHOUSE
MOTOROLA
PHILCO

• A nifty trapezoidal metal case from Westinghouse in the early 60's.

An early 50's Motorola circle-screen TV in a bakelite plastic case.

This very portable Philco from the 70's had a swivel pedestal base. •



PHILCO "PREDICTA"
RCA
JVC "VIDEOSPHERE"

• Philco's futuristic Predicta series came out in 1958, featuring a swivel screen.

This handsome little metal portable from RCA could also run on batteries.

Inspired by the space helmets used on lunar missions, JVC created the Videosphere. •



PANASONIC TR-005
JVC "VIDEOCAPSULE"
RCA

• This "Flying Saucer" or "Jetson's" TV was Panasonic's most ambitious and futuristic design.

The collapsible Videocapsule (AM/FM/TV) from JVC was another marvel of design engineering.

An automotive inspired, jet-age design from RCA in gold and cream enameled metal. •

One more thing.  If you find a nice TV, don't worry about whether it works or not; working is good but not essential.  (Don't they look cool enough?  Besides, you're more likely to watch TV on your hi-definition theatre system anyway).  But if you do find one that works, hook up your DVD or VCR, pop in an old movie, and have yourself a Retro Party.

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Vintage Small Appliances