Many people believe television is anachronistic—an obsolete form of entertainment surpassed by the alternatives. That might be true for cable and broadcast services, but the devices themselves still have a lot to offer. It wasn't easy to reach this point. The evolution of television is full of errors and technological limitations, yet it managed to make some quality leaps that changed everything.
Your TV probably doesn't amaze you. It's just a rectangle that presents high-definition images and includes a layer of connectivity (if it's smart, of course) to access certain online services. But there was a time when the TV was the centerpiece of the home. Acquiring one required a huge financial effort, and when the appointed hour came, gathering near the screen was like a ritual.
Obviously, the TV had to adapt to consumer tastes and needs. At first, it was enough to appreciate basic moving images, but soon sound, higher resolution, and color transmissions were added. The video we'll share below shows a good part of the evolution of television, starting with those mechanical units from the 20s.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/PveVwQhNnq8Setting Standards
The appearance of the 405-line television system between 1934 and 1936, and of NTSC in 1940, not only helped improve image quality but also established a series of fundamental standards to optimize its development. One of the main difficulties for manufacturers in the 1940s was producing tubes larger than 12 inches, and as a "shortcut" they used projection systems.
The 1950s: Portholes and Bold Designs
Entering the 50s, the size limits of tubes gave way (sometimes with hybrid metal and glass designs) to "porthole" format TVs. Also, an update of the NTSC standard was introduced to make it compatible with color broadcasts, and by the end of that decade, more extravagant aesthetics debuted, led by the Philco Predicta.
https://old.neoteo.com/los-televisores-mas-locos-de-la-historia-galeria/From Space Age to Portability
Lower costs, more vibrant colors, and the influence of the Space Age dominated televisions during the 60s and early 70s. Transistorized models managed to reduce energy consumption, simplify maintenance, and, from a certain point of view, make devices safer. Portable TVs and better symmetry made an appearance in the 80s. The legal protection for the famous Sony Trinitron expired in 1996, and that detail allowed its direct competitors to offer very similar televisions at lower prices.
The Road to the Present and Beyond
In the late 90s, hybrids began to emerge, integrating secondary functions like VHS playback and FM radio. With the arrival of the new century, the story is much better known: The decline of CRT, the displacement of plasma and the advance of LCD, the first LED panels, ambient lights, connectivity, Smart TVs, 3D, 4K resolution, AMOLED, curved designs, QLED, and experimental ultra-thin models with the same thickness as a credit card. What does the future hold? Televisions that roll up, transparent panels, 8K, and even dual televisions ideal for advertising. We'll be waiting.
