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RCA CT-100
(click on picture for high
resolution image)
The RCA CT-100 was rushed
to market in April of 1954, a few weeks after Westinghouse introduced
its set. The original price was $1,000. More information about the CT-100
is on Ed
Reitan's site. Click for original
RCA Press Release or the
CT-100 specification sheet. The
CT-100 used the 15GP22 picture tube.
Consumer Reports reviewed
the CT-100 in their June, 1954 issue.
They found it better in some ways than the Westinghouse, but said:
"Both sets were
troubled with "color fringes" around objects on the screen.
Neither set offered even the mediocre degree of sharpness which is
found in most modern television sets".
After heavy advertising
failed to sell many sets, the price was dropped to $495 by August.
Shortly after that, RCA perfected its 21 inch tube, and
recalled most of the CT-100s, swapping them for the new 21 inch sets
at no cost.
The picture tube in this
set was expensive to make, and RCA lost a considerable amount of
money on each set sold.
We estimate that about
5000 of these sets were made, and about 120 exist today, but only a
handful are in working condition. The color rendition on this set was
different from today's sets - it appeared deeper, but less brilliant.
We have just acquired a second CT-100, with a good picture tube and a
cabinet which is in excellent condition. It is substantially lighter
than all the other CT-100s I have seen. RCA may have sold two
finishes for the mahogany cabinet, or they may have aged differently.
The new set in on the right.
The CT-100 Production Line
(Courtesy of Dave Arland)
A colorized picture of CT-100s coming off the production line
(Courtesy of Tim Poliniak)
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