TOS Prop Inspirations?

[Maurice]

While searching for something else, I ran across some images of what was (apparently) the first transistorized and "portable" (battery powered) TV set, the Philco Safari Model H2010L. What struck me about it, especially when you see it with its "hood" closed and then open, was how much it reminded me of a TOS tricorder.

Hood closed
Hood open
This angle is pretty tricorder-esque
And in black, even more-so!

I could see how this design aesthetic could have snuck into the prop design of TOS.

Sure, the thing was a whopping 18 inches tall, but the similarity is interesting.

Curious if anyone else has seen anything they think might've been an influence on the TOS prop design.

 

[SonicRanger]

What a fantastic find!

 

[Botany Bay]

I agree, nice find! I wonder if the great Wah Chang was inspired by one of those?

 

[Sovay]

Woah! that is uncanny. Especially comparing a diagram like this: http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/uploaded_images/tricorder-2260-763165.jpg to those photos

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

That is pretty remarkable.

Apropos of nothing, on a project I'm involved with elsewhere we've talked about using replicas of a 1960s-era Philco transistor radio as the base for walkie-talkie type devices. Philco's designs were really striking and stylish. Their "Predicta" television line, for example:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=philco predicta tv&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

I've always wanted one of those!

 

[KirkusOveractus]

Dennis-

I used to have one of those Philcos, got it in the early 1990's! A next door neighbor of a friend put it out on the trash, so I grabbed it. Nursed it back to somewhat working order (at the time, a local station showed some programs that were perfect for that TV - Honeymooners, Twilight Zone, etc.)

The tube completely went out about a year later, and I got rid of it. I loved that TV.

Actually, a lot of 50's-60's electronics are works of art, even when not on!

 

[Ronald Held]

obscure TV, good find.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Actually, a lot of 50's-60's electronics are works of art, even when not on!

Exactly so. I'd love to have a working Predicta, but a dead one would still be like displaying a work of art.

 

[Kirk1980]

Yeah, I would say that'd definitely almost HAVE to be an inspiration. The similarities are too dead-on to ignore.

 

[alchemist]

The Predictas are beautiful indeed, but they were designed badly. Their cases were too small and poorly ventilated. Thus, a large number of these TVs failed in their first year. And since Philco had designed the cabinet in such a manner that the circuit board was difficult to get at, they were very hard and labor intensive to repair. The Predicta is often credited with killing Philco.

BTW, my other hobby is collecting and restoring antique electronics. I have two restored and working Predictas. They were a lot of work to rebuild.

Actually, a lot of 50's-60's electronics are works of art, even when not on!

Exactly so. I'd love to have a working Predicta, but a dead one would still be like displaying a work of art.

 

[plynch]

While searching for something else, I ran across some images of what was (apparently) the first transistorized and "portable" (battery powered) TV set, the Philco Safari Model H2010L. What struck me about it, especially when you see it with its "hood" closed and then open, was how much it reminded me of a TOS tricorder.


Curious if anyone else has seen anything they think might've been an influence on the TOS prop design.

I remember radios coming in leather or leatherette cases. And in the 80s I had a small Sony (I think) t.v. from the 70s, black with chrome trim and knobs just like the props. They are definitely of their time, just like the hair in Star Wars.

 

[Gary7]

I hope one day someone makes a widescreen LCD using the Philco Predicta design as inspiration. I think it's just fantastic looking...

 

[alchemist]

I hope one day someone makes a widescreen LCD using the Philco Predicta design as inspiration. I think it's just fantastic looking...

Telstar is making new ones, albeit with picture tubes: http://www.predicta.com/index.shtml

I've been told that LCD ones are coming.