Last of the Roundies?
 

Aside from the fascinating Westinghouse whose resto was documented earlier this month, I am curious as to the chronology of when roundie sets began to be phased out by manufacturers and when the last ones were produced. Part of this is an attempt at trying to clear up a hazy recollection I have from when I was a kid.

What I remember is reading an issue of one of the small-format magazines I liked back in the late 1960s -- Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, and the like. There was a small piece in their news section noting that one TV manufacturer -- Philco, perhaps? -- was reintroducing a roundie set because it could be sold at a lower price point than the then-common rectangular tube sets. I'm thinking this would be from around 1968 or so.

Anyone remember this? I presume these would be the last roundies made but I could be wrong. Any info would be most appreciated.

Magnavox and Muntz models from as late as 1970 have been noted. Those would certainly be the last.

It's my understanding that Philco continued making roundies later than Zenith/RCA. I wouldn't be surprised to see a budget Philco from '68 or so if that was the case.

edit: This guy has a '68 Philco roundie on his page:

http://www.ct-tv.50megs.com/photo3.html

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I forget who first posted this ad a few years back, but I'm glad I saved it. I'm sure this is what you're looking for.

Leadlike: Yeah that's my philco on that page. It's basically the same as the one in the above ad, but a little better cabinet (not much better since it's got the fake finish). Mine also has the green tuning eye (or in this case a tuning bar), which is likely not included in the set for 299.95.

I have read somewhere that by the mid-60s, the color CRT plants were really hitting their stride...Likely that this was an attempt to burn up some of the excess production of the then "old-fashioned" round CRTs. Oh, to go back & squirrel a few of 'em away...(Sigh...)

I think it's a cheap Magnavox from '70. There was also an RCA with a modified CTC-38 to drive a 21" round tube, but that would be a year or 2 before the Magnavox, I think. I'm not sure what year the JVC (Delmonico-Nivico) roundies were, but likely 1967-70. Commercial and industrial applications kept the 21" round color tube in daily use all the way to at least the early 2000s, such as a few tri-color radar scopes at airports, and other military uses. Last I heard, the HR21GVUP22 (or close to that number); the mil-spec roundie, is still in the Navy catalog.

Charles

There's a military-spec roundie, too??? Wow... I bet that would be cool to get your hands on!!!

The man in that picture does not appear to be very comfortable carrying that TV set. This is another example of big companies ripping off the little guy. I'm never going to buy a Ford.

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He's thinking, "Oh!! I should have used Pepto!" :lmao:

I think you're right Charlie. Amazing that I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, but I could be pretty sure that was a Philco from 40 years ago!

Thanks for the visual.

I posted that ad back probably around 2003(!). jstout66 gave me that ad back when I picked up a ctc-31 table set from him.

Yeah, I kinda figured it was either you are Rich that put this up... that's been quite a while back! :yes: