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Originally Posted by Electronic M
I seem to recall reading on ARF that those sets had something like a 50% in waranty CRT failure rate, and that this essentially put them in such a bad state that the Ford buy out was pretty much an act of mercy.
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The is lots of speculation on Philco's demise. Ford did not do anything as an act of mercy. Rank and file Philco employees knew of the 1961 Ford buyout as early as 1957. By 1961, less than 40% of Philco's revenue came from consumer products. Any reports of Philco's bankruptcy are incorrect. Philco made a profit every year after WW2, some more than others.
No one could live with a 50% SCR, although bubble top failures exceeded historic levels for all other products. The 1960 models were much improved with a much better chassis and CRT design.
HFII had a vision of Ford becoming another GM by adding a full line appliance line to compete with GM Frigidaire. Philco had new appliance plants in Indiana. Ford also wanted a fast way into the booming space industry, in which Philco had some standing.
Philco's '59 and '60 TV lines had a full line of conventional looking products. The bubble tops were a product planner's scheme to differentiate Philco products on the showroom floor. They certainly did that.
More bubble tops ended up in hotel rooms than living rooms.
Don