16 Home Entertainment Devices From the ’60s That Seemed Futuristic Back Then

The 1960s were a whirlwind of technology leapfrogging that revolutionized the manner in which people enjoyed their entertainment at home. During the 1960s, technology that was considered almost magical a few decades ago had become an integral part of people’s lives. It was a time in which people were presented with new means of enjoying their music, movies, and television programs. It was a time in which people enjoyed the full glory of color TVs. It was a time in which stereo consoles filled homes with full and rich sounds. It was a time in which people enjoyed their music on the go through transistor radios. It was a time in which people enjoyed their music in full motion through reel-to-reel tape recorders and video recorders.

1. Sony CV-2000 Home Video Tape Recorder (1965)

The Sony CV-2000 entered homes in the mid-1960s and looked every bit like a product out of a science fiction fantasy. In those days, TV was a live event, and people gathered around the TV to watch whatever was on. The idea that you could watch something after it had already been broadcast was almost mystical. And yet Sony’s CV-2000 made such mysticism possible. The product was introduced to consumers in 1965 and became the first available consumer videotape recorder. The technology used magnetic tape in a reel-to-reel format similar to that used in film studios. The product was certainly expensive and heavy, but its experience was revolutionary.

2. Zenith Space Command Remote Control (1960s)

In the early 1960s, changing the channel was a journey to the TV set itself, a search for the large buttons, and the pleasant “click” as one rotated through the channels. And then there was the Zenith Space Command Remote Control. It was not new in concept, but it was a huge success in the 1960s: a wireless aid using ultrasonic technology rather than cables or wires. If one held a small metal device in one’s hand, one could control the TV from across a room. It was a marvelous device in a time of buttons and controls. Inside the device, pressing a button would cause a small metal rod to move slightly, emitting a high-pitched noise.

3. Magnavox Astro-Sonic Stereo Console (1965)

The swinging sixties were a time of great change and excitement in the history of electronics. Among the most popular electronics of the time was the stereo console. Among the most popular of these was the Magnavox Astro-Sonic Stereo Console. It was a large wooden box with the promise of cutting-edge electronics and furniture design. At first glance, it looked like a high-end sideboard, something one would expect to find quietly sitting in a living room. However, if one were to open the lid of the Astro-Sonic Console, one would find a sturdy stereo amplifier and a record player inside. It was a time of luxury and futurism. It was a move away from the delicate vacuum tubes of the past.

4. Motorola Quasar Color Television (1967)

Color television was a real breakthrough when it finally reached people’s homes in the late 1960s. A good case in point was Motorola’s Quasar Color Television, launched in 1967. For decades, people were used to viewing television in black and white. Suddenly, color television burst onto the scene, bringing a new lease of life to sports broadcasts, variety shows, and even cartoons. The Motorola Quasar was a symbol of a new age in television viewing. On the outside, the television set was a real eye-catching device with its large cabinet and colorful screen. It was a centerpiece in the living room, with people even rearranging the furniture in their homes to get a good viewing angle.

5. Philco Predicta Television (Early 1960s Popularity)

Philco Predicta was unique in a way that none other could match. The Predicta entered the market at the very end of the 1950s but continued to attract attention into the 1960s. The Predicta had a futuristic look that caught everyone’s eye as soon as it was turned on. The screen was encased in a round housing that sat on a pedestal or cabinet. In a time when most televisions looked like wooden boxes, the Predicta stood out as bold and imaginative. The fact that it could rotate was a major advantage that everyone seemed to enjoy. The rotating capability was a smooth, interactive action. The Predicta was a great conversation starter when people came over to visit, as it was as interesting as it was to watch.

6. Panasonic Portable Transistor Radio (1960s Models)

The pocket-sized transistor radio revolutionized how people consumed entertainment in the 1960s. Panasonic launched some popular models that became loyal companions for those who loved music. Before these tiny wonders, radios were stationary pieces of furniture in one room in the house. Transistor technology revolutionized the game. Finally, music was free to roam. Teenagers took these small radios with them to parks, beaches, and schoolyards. What was once a family-based radio-listening experience was now an individual experience. These radios were battery-powered and easily fit in any pocket or purse. A small tuning dial allowed users to explore all the popular rock, pop, and news stations.

7. Kodak Carousel Slide Projector (1961)

The Kodak Carousel Slide Projector revolutionized the experience of family photographs, transforming a family album into a live, cinematic event in the family room of the 1960s. Introduced in 1961, it was an instant solution for viewing vacation photographs and family events. No longer would families pass around a family album of prints; instead, a carousel of dozens of slides would be inserted into a projector. The photographs would appear brightly colored and larger than life on a wall or screen in front of the family. At the same time, the room would darken, and the lamp would feed the memory with color. For many families, photographs would become a family story, a series of slides telling a story.

8. Ampex Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder (1960s Consumer Models)

Reel-to-reel tape recorders brought studio quality to the living room in the 1960s. Ampex, a company whose name you would trust for professional-grade gear, was now producing these machines for the home, and music lovers and hobbyists were taking notice. These machines were very simple in design, with two reels spinning on either end, connected by a spool of magnetic tape. When you turned them on, the two reels would spin in rhythm, and the audio from a microphone or a radio broadcast would be “spoken” into the machine. There was a certain curiosity and magic to watching the tape move over the recording heads, a certain mechanical quality, and a whole lot of fascination.

9. RCA SelectaVision VideoDisc Prototype Player (Late 1960s Development)

RCA engineers were working on an interesting concept in the late 1960s. They wanted to bring movies directly into the home. This concept would be called the SelectaVision VideoDisc. The concept of prototypes pops up next. People were fascinated by the concept. Instead of magnetic tape, the concept of discs, similar to records, was proposed. A disc player would be used to play the disc and display the movies on the screen. This was considered quite innovative for the time. The commercial version of the concept was delayed, but the prototypes were enough to win the hearts of tech enthusiasts. People realized that it was possible to play movies using a home appliance without the need for TV broadcasts.

10. Bell & Howell 8mm Home Movie Projector (1960s Models)

Home movies had become a cherished tradition in the 1960s, and the Bell & Howell 8mm Movie Projector was right in the middle of it all. Families would take vacations, birthdays, and other events with small 8mm cameras. Once the film was developed, this projector would bring those memories to life in a mini-premiere on a big screen or bare wall. The room would darken, and the lamp would light up as the soothing whir of the motor filled the air. For many families, movie night meant watching their own adventures and misadventures on screen instead of whatever was on TV. Using this projector meant threading the thin film through a series of guides and rollers. Once the film started rolling, images would appear on the screen to a familiar rhythm.

11. Zenith Stereo Hi-Fi Console System (1960s)

Stereo consoles were the epitome of how people enjoyed listening to music in the 1960s. Zenith had some of the most sought-after consoles during this time. These consoles were made of wood and had a turntable, a radio tuner, and speakers. The appearance of these consoles was that of a beautiful piece of furniture. Once you opened them up, you were treated to a high-end piece of equipment. The records spun around on the turntable as you listened to your favorite tunes. The experience was one that was high-end and modern. Families would gather around these consoles on weeknights or on a weekend. The records would range from jazz to classical to contemporary hits.

12. General Electric Trimline Portable Television (1964)

Watching television in the 1960s was beginning to become a very flexible experience. Take, for example, the General Electric Trimline Portable Television, made in 1964. This is an excellent example of how television was becoming more flexible in the 1960s. This television was not like those stationary television consoles that were stuck in one room in the house. This television was portable, and that was exactly what made it so special. It was very easy to move from room to room. It was taken into the kitchen, the bedroom, and outdoors on a nice, warm evening. To some, moving from room to room with a television was an odd, futuristic concept.

13. View-Master Stereo Viewer (1960s Popular Models)

The View-Master Stereo Viewer was one of the most captivating home entertainment gadgets of the 1960s. Although it was invented earlier, it clicked during this period as people realized that it could show colorful 3D scenes. The device looks simple at first glance; it is a small plastic case that holds a round disc filled with tiny photographic slides. To use it, you simply place it up to your eyes and press a lever. The images come alive as if by magic. The scenes are very captivating as they seem to extend out from a flat plane as if you could step right into them. Children could view reels that had famous places, animals, or characters from their favorite shows.

14. Columbia Masterworks Portable Record Player (1960s)

Portable turntables were also available to music enthusiasts who wanted their favorite tunes wherever they went in the 1960s. Columbia Masterworks released several popular ones that combined portability and quality sound. The player could be folded up and placed in a suitcase-style case for convenient carrying. Once opened up, the user could expect to find the turntable, tone arm, and speakers already set up and ready to use. This was great for users who wanted the flexibility to play their music wherever they wanted. This was especially true for teens who wanted the ability to play their music wherever they went. A stack of vinyl was always on hand as they gathered around to listen.

15. Grundig Majestic Console Radio and Stereo System (1960s)

Audio design from Europe found its way into many living rooms through the elegant Grundig Majestic console systems of the 1960s. These were large wooden cabinets containing a radio, a record player, and powerful stereo speakers all in one elegant package. The exterior had a smooth wood finish with sliding doors that hid the controls. Inside the cabinet, one would find a sophisticated audio system. There were warm lights and nicely arranged dials that gave the impression of a sophisticated engineering system. The system had a warm sound that could fill a room easily. One could listen to international radio broadcasts on the radio or play a record on the record player. A music lover could enjoy the clarity and depth of the stereo speakers.

16. Mattel Instant Replay Toy Recorder (1960)

In 1960, Mattel introduced a gadget that fascinated young users with its peculiar ability to capture a sound and immediately replay it. The Mattel Instant Replay Toy Recorder was a simple device that looked like a normal-sized gadget. However, it had a peculiar capability that seemed magical. The user could speak into a small microphone, record a sound or a phrase, and then immediately replay it by pressing a button. The device fascinated young users as they sought to explore this new gadget that seemed to defy time by manipulating sound. The device had a magnetic tape that stored audio clips. Although it is a basic device by today’s standards, it seemed like a futuristic gadget at the time.

• Tags:
• home entertainment
• 1960s
• entertainment devices
• 60s devices