Jenkins Laboratories Mechanical Scanning Television Receiver Amateur Kit, circa 1928

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THF96223 / Jenkins Laboratories Mechanical Scanning Television Receiver Amateur Kit, circa 1928
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Artifact Overview

In 1925, Charles Francis Jenkins became the first American to demonstrate mechanical scanning television. This is the only Jenkins Laboratories Radiovisor Kit known to survive. Radio amateurs could build this kit to view nightly "radiovision" broadcasts originating from Jenkins' experimental television station, W3XK, near Washington, D.C. Jenkins's broadcasts consisted of silhouette puppet shows -- crude by today's standards, but pioneering nonetheless.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Television receiver

Date Made

circa 1928

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Designed by C. Francis Jenkins for Jenkins Laboratories, Washington D.C. Motor made by Ohio Electric Mfg. Co., Cleveland, Ohio

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

40.567.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Grace Jenkins.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Steel (Alloy)
Composite material
Porcelain (Material)
Masonite (TM)
Brass (Alloy)

Dimensions

Height: 13.25 in
Width: 9.75 in
Length: 21 in

Inscriptions

In center of paper disk, partly under wooden washer, paper label: This scanning disk is designed to / promote the rapid development of / Radiovision and Radiomovies / for entertainment in the Home. / JENKINS LABORATORIES / WASHINGTON, D. C. / U.S.A. Metal plate on motor: OHIO / ALTERNATING CURRENT MOTOR / PATENTED DEC. 21-20 ... FOR LIGHTING CIRCUITS / MADE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A. BY / THE OHIO ELECTRIC MFG. CO. On the insulation of the black power cord: SIMPLEX-TIREX S10 2 COND. #14 300V
Keywords
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