The crystal radio set was first used in the early 1900s. Scientists had noticed that forms of crystal would detect radio waves. As broadcasting became popular in the 1920s the crystal radio was used almost exclusively until vacuum tube or thermionic valve technology enabled amplifiers to be introduced.
Crystal radios were also known as "cat's whiskers". They were self powered and could be used anywhere that the received signal was strong enough.
Trevor Baylis invented the wind-up radio after watching a programme on the spread of HIV-AIDs in Africa in 1991. His first working prototype ran for 14 minutes and was featured on BBC Tomorrow's World TV programme in 1994.
After gaining investment in his new product, he created a company called Baylis Generators, which eventually became Freeplay. The Freeplay Radio was awarded the BBC Design Award for Best Product Design in 1996. This was the same year that Trevor travelled to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela. In May 1998, Trevor toured Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
We have a 1970s Indesit Portable Television in our Technology through Time Collection.
The portable television is housed in the orange plastic, which is typical of the fashion of this era. It was the only television which Indesit put on the market. It was black and white and had six channel selection buttons and two built-in VHF antennas. A circular UHF antenna could also be connected.
The number of households owning a television rose steadily every year since 1956 when figures started being collected. The first survey found 5.7 million households - about one in three - owned a television. By the 1970s, 93% of homes were able to watch programmes in their homes.
The 1970s saw significant changes in television programming. Trends included the decline of the "family sitcoms" and rural-oriented programs to more socially contemporary shows and "young, hip and urban" sitcoms in the United States. It also saw the permanent establishment of colour television in the United Kingdom.
We have a 1954 Phillips Radio in our Technology through Time Collection.
It was manufactured with a bakelite case. It is a tabletop model without push buttons. Most radios sold in 1950 were A/C powered tabletop sets, but there were exceptions like the lunchbox-size battery portables made by RCA, Emerson and others.
The period between the late 1920s and the early 1950s is considered to be the Golden Age of Radio. Comedies, dramas, games and pop music shows drew millions of listeners. In the 1950s, with the introduction of television, the Golden Age faded.
We have a 1950s TV 22 Bakelite Television in our Technology through Time Collection.
It has a nine inch screen and walnut-style bakelite case. Bakelite was the first synthetic material that was used to make the cases for television sets. The TV 22 was introduced in 1950.
This was the first British television that could be tuned by the owner to any one of the two then current BBC transmitters as well as the further three proposed channels.
The Bush TV22 has become an icon of early 1950s bakelite sets, but at the time, it was one of the cheapest sets available (at £35 and 10 shillings) - it was intended for people who couldn't afford a set with a ‘proper’ wooden cabinet. The post-war timber shortage was the main reason some TV manufacturers used other materials for the cabinets.