Televisions Through Time

1939 Radio Corporation of America (RCA) Cable-model TV
This is the first television model manufactured and produced for home viewing. The first television was introduced to the U.S. on April 30, 1939. Designed by John Vassos, this analog television set has a five-inch picture screen about the size of the modern day iPhone that picks up black and white programs similarly to modern analog sets. The set cost $345, not adjusted for inflation. A typical car at the time cost around $550.

1954 RCA Model CT-100 15-inch Tri-Color TV
Shortly after Westinghouse produced a small number of color TVs in 1954, RCA came out with the CT-100 Model, a color TV mass-produced for commercial purposes. The TV set stands 40 inches off the ground and features a 12-inch by 9-inch picture. The set was compatible with black-and-white programs so it could transmit color programs in color and black-and-white programs in black and white. Four color controls adjust for color, hue, focus and convergence. This model was originally introduced for about $1,000, but RCA quickly cut the price in half.

Elite Kuro Pro-151FD
Pioneer offered the first high definition plasma television to the public at the end of 1997. The model used XGA screen technology and demonstrated the latest advancements in plasma technology, which was originally developed in 1964.  Pioneer now sells an Elite Kuro high definition television. The 60-inch Pro-151FD costs $6,500.