Childhood - why was it that watching TV at someone else's house was more
fun than your own ? My cousins lived only three minutes (if I ran really fast)
from my house. But at eight years old and in the middle of watching
"Alice In Wonderland" I dare not risk missing one single frame of that cartoon
movie.To think I use to watch TV cartoons in black and white !!
Between 1946 and 1950, the research staff at RCA laboratories
were working away like busy little bumble bees, on an electronic,
monochrome, compatible color television set. December 17th, 1953
saw the official launch of that first color television in America.
Good Golly Miss Molly !! TV culture certainly has evolved, going
from innocent entertainment and the nightly, family bonding
session - to sex, violence and yes, the depressing six o'clock news.
Believe it or not - there were no news broadcasts when television first
began and at the first, broadcasting was only a few hours each day.
I remember watching in the afternoon from noon to four p.m.
Today it's 500 channels and not a thing to watch.
Suddenly, every home in America in the 1950's had this set of metal TV
trays tucked away somewhere in the corner of the living room or the
hallway closet. Picture this for family night: little Suzy and Johnny,
along with Mum, Dad and Grandma, all watching "The Ed Sullivan Show"
and eating Jiffy Pop Popcorn on TV trays. My generation grew up watching
programs such as: I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith and George and Gracie.
What did I happen to switch on whilst channel surfing the other night ??
A program about a 40 year old woman in California, who goes to her cosmetic
surgeon and has her entire vagina reconstructed to look like it was 18 again.
Did I watch it ?! You bet I did ! I had no idea such a thing was possible.
It was fascinating and repulsive all at the same time. tsk, tsk.
That very first color television set cost a small fortune back
in the 1950's. Not many people could afford the $1175 (£812)
to see that NBC bird in all his glory. I remember the announcer
would say: "The following program is brought to you in living
color on NBC" and it really irritated me because I had to stare
at that dull peacock while the more privileged were looking at
his colorful plumage.
In 1961, Disney's Wonderful World of Color, was a turning
point, persuading consumers to go out and purchase color sets.
"Colour" crossed the pond to England in 1966. Those that
had a black and white set were able to purchase a color
receiver costing around £250 or $362.
Gosh how I miss these kooky shows !!
Do you see any of your favourites on this poster ?
People find it hard to believe when I tell them that I was without a
TV for almost two years. It was actually a good thing. I read more
books, taught my self to knit, made lots of homemade bagels and
listened to Public Radio twenty four seven. Yawn.
You can buy this apple television on Amazon.
At the moment - they are sold out.
I love "The Andy Griffith Show!"
It was a great documentary - not unlike where where I grew up.
Barney - gotta love him.