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RCA TRK-12 Television

National Museum of American History

Object Details

RCA Corporation
Description (Brief)
From 1939 to 1941, about 7,000 television sets were sold. This new technology was out of reach for most Americans as sets ranged from $200 to $600. Television broadcasts were limited to a few large cities such as New York and Los Angeles; they became available across the country only after World War II. This early set, serial number 32, was used for limited, experimental service in the New York area.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
from Col. Frank E. Mason
1939
ID Number
EM.326100
catalog number
326100
accession number
258911
model number
TRK-12
serial number
32
Object Name
television receiver
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
glass (part material)
metal (part material)
plastic (part material)
Measurements
overall: 40 3/4 in x 34 1/2 in x 20 1/2 in; 103.505 cm x 87.63 cm x 52.07 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Popular Entertainment
Family & Social Life
Communications
1939 exhibit
Domestic Furnishings
National Museum of American History
Subject
Television
Record ID
nmah_1096721
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-f515-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Television receiver, RCA TRK-12 Television, 1939
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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