© 2008 Museum of Communication

When Independent Television opened in 1955, the Viewer had the choice of either fitting an ugly but inexpensive channel tuning adaptor or buying a new set. As an example, we show a pink-screened GEC 12" (c.1954) - with channel tuning adaptor fitted for ITV reception (below left).

By the end of the decade, most homes in the country boasted a television set and many manufacturers produced portable models, which could easily be moved around the house. The KB 'Royal Star' 17" (1958) - (below right) is a typical "transportable" (7.5 kg) set of the period, having a lightweight fibreboard case and a carrying handle. The price in 1958 was £44.2s.4d + purchase tax.

The final set, a miniature Crown 4" Combined Television/Radio (1965) was manufactured a mere 35 years after the Televisor! The third channel (BBC2) was introduced in 1964 and transmitted on 625 lines. This is one of the earliest 625-line sets and was made in Japan.