----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Music Hunter" <[log in to unmask]>
>I remember being the 1st family in the neighborhood to get a television.
> A little 6" round screen Olympic. Folks came from all over to see it like 
> a rock star. I think we got 3-4 channels in the beginning.
>
We didn't have a TV when we lived in Chicago; however, us kids were invited 
to a
downstairs neighbour's to watch "Howdy Doody" afternoons, and sometimes 
stayed
to watch "Captain Video" as well. In 1954, we left Chicago for Waynesville; 
both my
folks and my grandmother bought new 21" Zenith sets, as "downstate" Illinois 
was
getting new UHF stations. To get watchable TV, one needed a substantial (c. 
35')
tower...and an antenna rotator. This cost as much as...or more than...the 
TV!

Back then, it was common for stores to offer "tube testers!" The businesses
sold replacement tubes, if any "failed" their rest...!

Steven C. Barr