Channel Surfing in the 1950s
How did people channel surf in the 1950s, before the invention of remote controls?
Mrs. Cooper's solution was to own a different TV set for every channel. To change channels she just had to move to a different room.
Mrs. Cooper's solution was to own a different TV set for every channel. To change channels she just had to move to a different room.
Medford Mail Tribune - Mar 28, 1957
Comments
That was in the days of rabbit ears antennas, so you had to fiddle with the antenna to get the best reception. I see they're still on the market.
Posted by ges on 08/29/21 at 12:00 PM
This is a complete bear to try to explain, especially since RF is not my field . . . refer to:
https://www.rfcafe.com/references/popular-electronics/taming-tv-tuner-popular-electronics-march-1967.htm
for illustrations which might make it understandable.
Every time you turn the knob, the tuner switches in the appropriate coil/circuit for the frequency of that channel.
As a new tv came out of the box, the tuner was set in an okay way, but it was rarely as good as it could be. Location, antenna, and a myriad of other factors affect how the coil/circuit for each channel should be tuned to bring in the best picture and sound. (My uncle's first job was tagging along when a new set was delivered. He fine-tuned the local channels for the customers.) Some sets had a ring around the main selector (push it in and turn) while others had a separate dial for that fine-tuning.
In theory, that fine-tuning only needs to be done once, but there's a little shock/bump each time the knob is turned, and screws creep, so it's normal for it to have to be redone periodically.
Also, there are a lot of contacts involved in switching. These become dirty/weak. According to the article I cited, it can cost up to $5 to have the tuner cleaned! (That was a lot of money back in those days.)
Remember, it was standard that televisions required four or five service calls a year! People often endured watching raggedy pictures and/or had poor sound before they broke down and called in a technician.
Having nine sets was a little excessive, but if she was OCD about getting good reception, it's understandable.
https://www.rfcafe.com/references/popular-electronics/taming-tv-tuner-popular-electronics-march-1967.htm
for illustrations which might make it understandable.
Every time you turn the knob, the tuner switches in the appropriate coil/circuit for the frequency of that channel.
As a new tv came out of the box, the tuner was set in an okay way, but it was rarely as good as it could be. Location, antenna, and a myriad of other factors affect how the coil/circuit for each channel should be tuned to bring in the best picture and sound. (My uncle's first job was tagging along when a new set was delivered. He fine-tuned the local channels for the customers.) Some sets had a ring around the main selector (push it in and turn) while others had a separate dial for that fine-tuning.
In theory, that fine-tuning only needs to be done once, but there's a little shock/bump each time the knob is turned, and screws creep, so it's normal for it to have to be redone periodically.
Also, there are a lot of contacts involved in switching. These become dirty/weak. According to the article I cited, it can cost up to $5 to have the tuner cleaned! (That was a lot of money back in those days.)
Remember, it was standard that televisions required four or five service calls a year! People often endured watching raggedy pictures and/or had poor sound before they broke down and called in a technician.
Having nine sets was a little excessive, but if she was OCD about getting good reception, it's understandable.
Posted by Phideaux on 08/29/21 at 05:54 PM
ges:
We got our first TV in 1949 and never had rabbit ears, only an antenna on the roof.
We got our first TV in 1949 and never had rabbit ears, only an antenna on the roof.
Posted by F.U.D in Stockholm on 08/30/21 at 01:40 AM
I remember the fine tuning knob.
Posted by crc on 08/30/21 at 03:21 PM
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Category: Television | 1950s