I love to read about interesting repair solutions, too. I think repairmen had to be especially ingenious during WWII, when supplies were short and you had to keep everyone's old sets working . . . one way or another.
But there has always been a ready market for clever/cheap repair tricks. I grew up in a tiny rural MN town in the 1950s/1960s, and my Dad never failed to crow when the local TV guy (Irv) was able to get our TV working again for, say, $1.50. One of my most treasured possessions is a giveaway screwdriver with Irv's name on the handle. I 'borrowed' it from my Dad about 30 years ago, and he is never getting it back.
More and more of those old tricks may become relevant as the supply of old TVs and radios (and parts!) becomes more scarce.
Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html