Baird mechanical television viewer
Date: circa 1932
Inventory Number: RS0113
Classification: Television Receiver
Dimensions:24.7 × 60 × 45 cm (9 3/4 × 23 5/8 × 17 11/16 in.)
DescriptionAn early receiver based on the principle of mechanical television.
The device is housed in a wooden case with a decorative beveled top and bottom face and a hinged top lid.
The front of the case features a glass lens mounted in a square opening that leads inside the case, shaded by a rectangular wooden cowling. A square magnifying lense is mounted on the opening. In some models, a larger magnifying lense would attach to the cowling, but it is uncertain if this particular one ever had it. (See primary sources).
A metal on/off switch is located on the front, on one side of the lens, and a hard rubber control knob is located on the other side. Additional adjustment knobs are on the side of the case.
Inside the case, a thick metal drum is supported on a center spindle with an electric motor underneath, allowing it to spin. A circular paper label printed with an alternating black and white calibration pattern is positioned on the spindle, on top of the drum.
The back of the case, under the drum, contains the receiver circuits of the television, the prominent feature of which is a large vacuum tube.