Jenkins Laboratories Mechanical Scanning Television Receiver Amateur Kit, circa 1928
Add to SetSummary
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.
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
Television receiver
Date Made
circa 1928
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, District of Columbia, Washington
United States, Ohio, Cleveland
Creator Notes
Designed by C. Francis Jenkins for Jenkins Laboratories, Washington D.C. Motor made by Ohio Electric Mfg. Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Keywords
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
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