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Early Electronic Television

John McDermott 

John McDermott, from Newburgh, New York, ran a bar and restaurant in the 30s. RCA conducted a marketing test of its TV sets in 1939 in Newburgh, which was considered ideal, since it was close to New York, but isolated from that market. RCA did extensive advertising, lowered prices and offered installment purchase plans in an attempt to sell sets. 

John was friends with a RCA radio distributor, who was selling TV sets. He was convinced to buy a TRK-9, which he installed in his restaurant. Later, the set was moved to his home, then eventually ended up in the hands of a collector from Chicago. We purchased the set in the 90s.

As part of the campaign, RCA published a brochure with testimonials for their sets. One of the people quoted was John McDermott.

  • The menu from the McDermott restaurant
  • Have you Ever Heard of Televisionville?

    YouTube interview with the son of the original owner of this set:

 

 


 
Early Television Museum
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