I bought one of those TVs with ambient lighting...

[Carmine]

You know, those ones that have some light around the screen to make it easier on your eyes...



...NO, not that thing,

THIS thing....



I went to an estate sale yesterday (by chance, I saw the signs on my way to a local bank) and found the house to be a virtual time-capsule. Too bad the garage wasn't a time capsule, it only had an '03 Ford Windstar, rather than a Hemi 'Cuda.

Anyways, I snagged this old Sylvania "Halolight" TV in the basement for $20 (was marked $40).

I'd bet this thing has not been plugged in for 30+ years. Not sure what year it is yet, but I'll guess 1953-ish? Since the set seemed so complete and intact, I broke every rule in the book and simply plugged it in. Blew my mind... It works (sorta)!

Always wanted one of these sets for my collection, although I'd like one of the early 60s version with the space-age cabinet.

[Dan Starnes]

Very cool.
Dan

[pilotprose]

I recall those things as a child. You are correct in assuming that it was about 1953. I believe they had a switch on them to turn that "halo" light off. You will understand why if you look at it for more than 20 minutes. It seems the light was brighter than the picture in most cases and caused some real headaches, literally, as well as some severe eye strain. That was the principle reason it died so quickly. Out side of that, it was a great set for blind people or folks with limited vision. Ya didn't have to bob your head like Stevie Wonder to find out where the sound was coming from.

[John Folsom]

Not sure I can agree with pilotprrose.

The Halo light sets were sold from the early 1950s all the way through to the early 1960s. A respectable run for such a gimmick. There must have been a cierain subset of TV viewers to whom it really appealed.

And of course, we collectors think they are cool....

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by John Folsom

And of course, we collectors think they are cool....

High praise from the AK member who has the set I envy most...