I remember visiting my grandmother's house as a toddler and the monolithic TV in her living room. Encased in wood and decoratively adorned, it was massive and sturdy like an old oak desk. Saying "they don't build them like they used to" is an understatement. Long before the iPod, a stereo cabinet holding all of your hi-fi equipment and vinyl records could take up an entire wall of the living room. Electronics were as much furniture as they were media devices then, but over time we've cut away all the bulk until essentially all we were left with was the media.
Tablets and smartphones, and even super thin big screen televisions: in many ways the promise of a modern device is its ever shrinking physical footprint in our homes. While I do love the industrial simplicity of my Apple iPad, there's definitely something to be said for the hearty physicality of the 1950s TV, radio, and media console.
The Kuba Komet
This elaborate media console from the late fifties has more in common with a Cadillac of that era than a TV of today. With fold-out shelving to reveal your records and hi-fi this entertainment console was built to take over a room.
1964 Magnavox Astro-Sonic Stereo Hi-Fi
Retro gadget blog, Retro Thing, offers up this beautiful find (as well as a number of other fantastic stereo consoles). With stereo speakers, a record player and radio built in, what else could a person need? Other than maybe a 30 pin connector to dock an iPhone.
1950 14" General Electric Slim Mahogany Television
Though I'm not sure I would describe this as "slim" this eBay item caught my eye, as it's listed as still working. A television from 62 years ago! This Mahogany encased 14" TV is available on eBay for only $99.99. While this old TV might not be in the best shape, it does makes you consider; what condition will my iPad be in after 62 years?
Print Advertisements For 1950s TV Cabinets
An incredible resource for designers looking for some retro inspiration, archival site Vintage Ad Browser has some beautiful examples of electronics ads from the 1950's with a wide range of interesting cabinet TV models from Magnavox, Zenith and Admiral.
Mesa TV Stand:
To get a taste of the classic 1950's style media console today, check out this modern take on a classic from Somerton, (available for purchase online through Humble Abode).
While my personal taste is distinctively more modern than the above, there is something about the combination of wood finish and tech that I do find attractive. Could you imagine a Samsung flat panel TV, with a lovely rich wood bezel? There's just something about plastic that just doesn't have the same appeal. While I could do without the tail fins of the Kuba Komet, there is definitely something to the warmth and style of these old cabinets and consoles.
(Images: As linked, lead image courtesy of Retronaut)
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Just before Halloween I was walking home from grabbing a cup of coffee and there it was, a 1952 RCA Victor cabinet TV. It's so beautiful I bought it on the spot. It works too!
I have a zenith radio/record player console that belonged to my grandma. All the parts can be folded in so you don't see any of it. It's currently serving as a tv stand. I need to find some wires to try and get it to function. If anyone knows anywhere in NYC I can find various random audio wires please tell me!
So classy! I wish they made flatscreens and their various speaker systems with such taste
I grew up with that 1964 Magnavox Astro-Sonic Stereo Hi-Fi! Janis Joplin, CSNY, Grateful Dead, it played 'em all. Sigh... thanks!
I dad tossed out our old console stereo. I still hate him for it.
I have my parents Grundig stereo cabinet. The turn table needs work (the guy at the shop thinks its a simple restore job...lets hope), but the speakers work beautifully, as does the radio and the reel to reel. I had a cable made that is a 5 pin den to 3.5mm, so I can go between using the reel to reel or any ipod or mp3 player. I love that stereo.
Basil & Bones -- agree -- flatscreens have very little high-design attributes!
I still have an old non-flat Sony TV, but I hide it in a cabinet -- see here in forefront of the third pic. The cabinet was a $20 goodwill find that I refinished:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/small-cool-extr-2-8853
When I do upgrad to a flatscreen it will most likely go in that same cabinet.
I picked up this amazing blonde TV / Hi Fi console at an estate sale recently. One could gut the unit and install a flat panel TV and modern audio components, but it would be such a shame since this one still works. But wouldn't it be cool to install the TV on a pivot with a small dry car behind it! It'd be so Quagmire-tastic!
This was fun..thanks!.. I have a baby picture of myself in front of 'the slim style' GE 1950 tv..the little screen....gone before I could be lucid enough to watch tv...I just remember watching American Bandstand when Elvis was on. My mother had her friend come over to watch him..and my beloved Amos N' Andy..I Love Lucy, the crazy children's shows..memories are in those tv's above for some of us! I remember the dust on those big later console's..with family photo's covering the top..and an ivy or so. :)
That Kuba is unbelievable! Thank you AT for sharing this! My folks traded in a piano for a Zenith TV stereo/radio back in '65; I was disappoited it wasn't just a color set. But, sure would be nice to have a console stereo with a stack of LPs playing today. And a separate round tube color TV. Plenty of old ads for 'furniture' TVs stereos on eBay.
Nobody in our family has one, but my grandfather was James B. Lansing, and JBL created the Paragon in 1957. Its not only gorgeous, but the sound is superb. If you can find one for sale, expect to pay upwards of $25,000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7WJNzeldig&feature=related
OH what a treat!! Thank you..lucious looking and sounding....and I know it was youtube, but I added imagination sound..too..
That Vintage Ad Browser is priceless ~ thank you for the link!
Okay, I absolutely need a TV that can fold down into my coffee table. Wishlist.
My mother saves absolutely everything, except for the very few things I want, like her beautiful stereo cabinet (which had amazing sound and was gorgeous) and her hatbox suitcase.