Televisions divide chronologically into (1) pre-1945 televisions, (2) the 1940s through the early 1960s black and white televisions, (3) color televisions, and (4) flat-screen televisions. Cabinets divide into consoles (upright televisions), tabletop televisions, and entertainment centers (television combined with radio, record player, tape recorder, or another electronic device), and portable televisions. It requires a high level of expertise to determine the precise classification into which a television belongs.Ī television divides into components, primarily (1) the cabinet or covering housing the mechanism, (2) the mechanism, (3) the tube or screen, and (4) the antenna. Like antique and vintage radios, antique and vintage television can be divided into five classifications: (1) parts televisions with the only value being salvageable tubes and other parts (2) restorable televisions (3) playable televisions (4) amateur restoration televisions, and (5) professionally restored televisions. Korea’s LG Electronics purchased the remains of the company. In 1995, a trackball-operated television remote was marketed. A year later, Zenith introduced the first television sets featuring on-screen electronic program guides. Zenith’s 1993 Grand Alliance model introduced a digital HDTV system implementation. In 1991, Zenith television sets included built-in closed caption decoders. The Zenith Radio Corporation became the Zenith Electronics Corporation in 1983. Zenith’s EFL (extended field length) electronic gun screen followed in 1976 and its “System 3” modular TV chassis in 1978.’ In 1987, Zenith introduced the first flat-screen high-resolution color picture tube.Ĭompetition in the 1970s impacted Zenith’s financial picture. Zenith pioneered high-contract and flat face picture tubes and a multichannel television sound stereo system. Seven plants were spread throughout the greater Chicago area. Zenith reached its financial Zenith in the 1960s, with sales topping $500 million. In 1969, Zenith developed Chromocolor, the first black matric color picture tube. Zenith introduced its first color TV set for consumers in 1961. Gilbert Gustafson, Zenith’s brilliant engineer, died the same year. The Space Commander 600, which also adjusted color hues, was introduced in 1965 and used through 1972. Zenith introduced the Space Command, the first TV wireless remote control, in 1956. Robert Adler, a Zenith engineer, suggested using ultrasonic sound as the trigger mechanism. Problems arose when sunlight produced a channel change. The lengthy cord created problems.Įugene Polley, using a directional photo flash tube in a handheld unit, developed the Flash-Matic, a wireless remote control for changing channels, in 1955. Zenith introduced Lazy Bones, the first wired television remote in 1950. Zenith experimented with subscription television. The sale of Zenith television sets contributed to the bottom line. Tubes were available in 12-inch, 16-inch, and 19-inch sizes. The first sets contained round picture tubes. Zenith's first commercial television set was offered for sale in 1949. It met with partial success and strong opposition from movie theater owners. The system included a box on the television plugged into a telephone lead to unscramble the video. Zenith launched Phonevision, a subscription service, in Chicago. Zenith hired women workers during World War II, many of whom remained with the company when the war was over. The first Zenith television set appeared in 1939. Zenith developed the slogan: “The Quality Goes in Before the Name Goes On.” McDonald continued to invest in research and development, even during the Great Depression. Chicago Radio Laboratories became the Zenith Radio Corporation. McDonald requested that the company change its brand name from Z-nith to Zenith, complete with a lightning bolt trademark. to join with them and finance their company. They used the Z-nith brand name for their products. Hassel and Matthews focused on making equipment for amateur radio operators. Schnell, the Chicago City Manager, worked out a "Chicago Plan" that solved the competition problem. There was little to no governmental regulation. The competition was fierce in the early days of radio. Ham radio operators Karl Hassel, a 22-year-old Pennsylvania native, and Ralph Matthews, a 21-year old Chicagoan, founded the Chicago Radio Laboratory in a nondescript two-car garage in Edgewater, Illinois in 1919.
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