Jenkins prismatic lens disc scanner. Ground glass prismatic disc, 10" diameter, hand actuated by a mechanical linkage. Empty metal cylinder opposite linkage. Marked Jenkins #6. Originally recorded (1921) as "a model high speed motion picture camera for the analysis of motion. Construction: disk ring prism for hinging the light beam to produce motion pictures from continuous motion picture film with only rotary mechanisms." A later note (1932) recorded this as a "lens-disc receiver for projecting television pictures onto a screen."
From 1939 to 1941, about 7,000 television sets were sold. This new technology was out of reach for most Americans as sets ranged from $200 to $600. Television broadcasts were limited to a few large cities such as New York and Los Angeles; they became available across the country only after World War II. This early set, serial number 32, was used for limited, experimental service in the New York area.
Black drum (7.5" diameter x 3.25") on shaft of 1/8 horse-power Ohio type 3956 motor, serial number 106,141. The drum scanner includes a coronal discharge lamp in the hub; quartz rods extend from the lamp cathode glow targets to miniature holes in the drum's surface. The picture is developed by the rotation of the drum and the radio controlled light of the lamp. Reference: "Radiomovies, Radiovision, Television" by Jenkins, page 66. Recorded (1932) as "Television Receiver employing a quartz-rod drum scanner, with a neon lamp located at the inside ends of the quartz rods."
Mechanical television receiver, floor model (pedestal style), Six knobs on front; two dials marked Westel, top dial: 0-100 (adjusts image: intensity, etc.), bottom dial: 0-1500 (adjusts sound), 110-120 volts, 50-60 cycles, 90 watts, Echophone Radio Mfg. Co. Ltd. Waukegan, Ill. (on loud-speaker labels), Jensen Gold Stripe Speaker Jensen radio Mfg. Co., Chicago, A standard console television receiver, employing a scanning disc with three sets of lens type openings. Picture unit is located at top of receiver, sound section in the center, with two 8-inch Jensen speakers at the base of the console. Sound section is a standard broadcast band receiver tuning 540-1500 kilocycles.
