Televisor (1974.34.34)

This 'televisor' was made by Baird International Television Ltd. and was available from 1930 to 1932. The Baird televisor was the first type of television set to go on sale anywhere in the world. Its Scottish inventor, John Logie Baird, began experimenting with television in 1922. He gave the world's first public demonstration of television at the London department store Selfridges in 1925.

Baird began trial broadcasts from the BBC's transmitter at Crystal Palace in 1928. Only homes in London could receive these broadcasts. Less than 1,000 people bought a televisor, which cost about three months' average wages. Viewers had to use a radio to hear the soundtrack because the televisor could not receive sound.

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