Predicta the World’s First Swivel Screen TV

Advertisements

Predicta Television

  • Designer: Severin Jonassen and Richard Whipple
  • Manufacturer: Philco

The Philco electronics firm was founded in the 1890s in Philadelphia. It became a leading manufacturer of audio products, particularly low-priced radios. 

Advertised as the “world’s first swivel screen television,” Philco’s Predicta was the first American model to break away from the standard cabinet format of a box with a window in it—a bold step for such a corporation. However, a similar idea had already been produced in Italy by Phonola (no. 249) and in France by Teleavia. 

Design Specifications

The viewing screen and tube were wholly encased in a two-toned plastic capsule supported on a brass base. The capsule was made to swivel on the top of a table- or pedestal-model chassis for viewing from any direction; a third version with the screen separated from the chassis and speaker could be placed anywhere, connected only by a flat, twenty-five-foot-long cable. 

Philco’s design depended on a recently introduced flattened picture tube, which the company’s engineers adapted further by shortening the neck, thereby reducing the protrusion at the back of the separated tube and minimizing its bulk as much as possible. 

Influenced by ‘Space Race’

The Predicta’s modern casing was an intentional departure from the traditional stationary designs that mimicked the furniture-like radio receivers of the early 20th century. An interest prompted by Russia’s Sputnik launch in 1957 influenced the futuristic aesthetic of space-age technology. Philco’s advertisements for Predicta touted a “TV Today From the World of Tomorrow!” The limited flexibility this design promised was soon made obsolete by the introduction of small, portable models (no. 273).

1958 Philco Predicta Television Commercial

Product Brochure (Original)

Philco Predicta Television Brochure screenshot


Philco Predicta T-Shirt – For Sale ❤️

Sources

Hiesinger, K. B., & Marcus, G. H. (1995). Landmarks of twentieth-century design: an illustrated handbook. Abbeville Press. Retrieved from https://amzn.to/3nTJmEE

More on Product Design

The Evolution of Sony: A Design Perspective

Founded in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, Sony transformed the consumer electronics industry with its products, balancing cutting-edge technology and practical design. Landmarks include Japan’s first tape recorder, the TV 80 301, and the pioneering Walkman and Discman.

Keep reading

Ekco Products Company: Kitchen Innovation and Excellence

Founded in 1888, Ekco Products Company evolved from modest beginnings to become America’s leading kitchenware manufacturer by the 1950s due to strategic acquisitions and design innovation, notably introducing a hole in spoon handles for easy hanging. Their Flint 1900 series epitomized functional elegance.

Keep reading

Enhancing Travel with the Bose QuietComfort Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones provide efficient noise cancellation, comfort, and varied listening modes suitable for travels. They offer high-fidelity audio, long-lasting battery, microphone cord integration, and seamless device connectivity, enhancing the overall sound and travel experience.

Keep reading

Leonardo Fioravanti: Master of Automotive Design

Fioravanti, a celebrated automotive designer, has significantly influenced the industry with his visionary designs at Pininfarina, especially through collaborations with Ferrari. His pioneering work includes the Peugeot 205 and groundbreaking aerodynamic research with the CNR experimental vehicle.

Keep reading

Breville Master Every Moment

Breville products blend practical functionality with modern, timeless aesthetics. Prioritizing user experience, high-quality materials, sustainability, and customizable designs, their kitchen appliances deliver longevity, adaptability, and value for money.

Keep reading

Tupperware: More Than Just Plastic Boxes

Tupperware’s broad influence extends from kitchen storage to social, cultural, and design spheres, although its future is uncertain due to financial struggles and the need for sustainable innovation. The brand’s history demonstrates both its transformative power and marketing complexities.

Keep reading

The Artistry of Sonder Los Angeles Cutting Boards

Sonder Los Angeles offers artful and sustainable walnut cutting boards with features such as deep juice grooves, rubber feet for stability, and an expansive surface. The brand emphasizes local craftsmanship, customer satisfaction and includes a 1-year warranty.

Keep reading

Use of the Airbrush in Industrial Design

Explore the rich history and usage of the airbrush in industrial design, tracing its impact from pioneers like Raymond Loewy to contemporary practices. Learn how the airbrush, with its ability to deliver precisely controlled sprays of paint or ink, revolutionized automobile styling and product design, providing a tangible, realistic representation of ideas. Despite the advent…

Keep reading

Maximizing Bathroom Organization with a Large Shower Caddy Set

The FAFOOU Shower Caddy Shower Organizer offers a stylish and functional solution for bathroom storage. With its innovative design, durable construction, and versatile placement options, this black shower shelf is perfect for organizing shower essentials. The easy installation process and hassle-free maintenance make it ideal for various settings, including RV showers, small bathrooms, and apartments.…

Keep reading

The Timeless Elegance of the 1934 Mercedes Silver Arrow

The 1934 Mercedes Silver Arrow, a pioneering race car designed by Mercedes-Benz, captivated the automotive world with its sleek design and innovative engineering. With its aerodynamic body, powerful engine, and impressive victories on the racetrack, the Silver Arrow left an enduring influence on the industry. It stands as a symbol of automotive excellence, showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s…

Keep reading

Philco famous 🇺🇸 American electronics firm

Philco was founded in Philadelphia in 1892. In 1929, using assembly-line techniques, the firm produced the first truly low-priced radios. The firm became a leading manufacturer of audio products, adding domestic stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other appliances to its line. In the 1950s, it produced a series of television set housings in historicist cabinets…

Keep reading

Amazon Basics Kids Soft Play Single Tunnel

Amazon Basics Kids Soft Play Single Tunnel

Benefits of Educational Toys As a parent, you want your child to have the best opportunity of succeeding. Educational toys can be beneficial to children in their early stages of development. Let’s talk about what makes an instructional toy before we go into the…

Keep reading

The Civil Disobedience Suit – Protecting Protestors

The “Suited for Subversion” suit is a protective clothing designed for street protesters to shield themselves from police batons. It is inspired by White Overalls, an anticapitalist group from Italy, and features a wireless video camera to capture police activity and a speaker on the chest to amplify the person’s heartbeat. It also exposes the…

Keep reading

Electrolux – Swedish Domestic Appliance Firm

Electrolux was the first electrical appliance manufacturer to produce a horizontal-cylinder vacuum cleaner. Its flexible hose made it possible to clean in places other floor models could not reach. In 1924, the Electrolux vacuum cleaner was successfully introduced in the U.S. READ MORE

Keep reading

Design Classic – Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Army Knife, every schoolboy’s dream, was first manufactured in the late nineteenth century. The knife is more than a simple pen knife, with its distinctive bright red body bearing the trademark white cross: it is a compact household tool kit.

Keep reading

The Chantal Tea Kettle: Vintage Charm and Modern Utility

The Chantal Vintage Series Tea Kettle combines retro aesthetics with modern comforts and features. It’s enamel-on-steel, chili red design includes a “stay cool” handle, loud whistle, and compatibility with all cooktops. The interior resists wear and promotes health-conscious cooking.

Keep reading

Material Matters: An In-Depth Look at Packaging Materials

The piece dissects the advantages and disadvantages of common packaging materials—plastic, glass, metal, and paper—from design and sustainability viewpoints. It highlights the ongoing innovations and sustainable alternatives in the dynamic packaging industry while emphasizing environmental responsibility.

Keep reading

Amber Glass Soap Dispenser Set: A Vintage Touch

The GM GMISUN Amber Glass Soap Dispenser Set enhances home aesthetics with a vintage touch, offers functionality and durability through its amber glass and stainless steel pump, and promotes sustainability. The set includes elegant waterproof labels and superior customer service.

Keep reading

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.