The oldest working television in the world: The history of a technology that has survived for decades

Nowadays, televisions are incredibly advanced devices, offering amazing resolution, smart features, and designs that fit into modern interiors. However, before we reached the era of OLED, QLED, and Smart TVs, television underwent a long evolution. One of the most interesting artifacts of this history is the oldest working television in the world. In this article, we will take a look at its history, technology, and how it has managed to survive to this day.

The Beginnings of Television: The Era of Mechanical TVs

The oldest working television in the world is the Baird Televisor, produced in the 1920s by British television pioneer John Logie Baird. This remarkable exhibit is an example of a mechanical television, which operated in a completely different way than modern devices.

• How did the mechanical television work?
  Instead of using electronics to display the image, the Baird Televisor used a rotating Nipkow disk – a perforated disk that scanned the image line by line. The signal was transmitted wirelessly, and the image was displayed on a small low-resolution screen. The result? A rectangular image measuring just a few centimeters, consisting of about 30 lines.

• The First Broadcasts
  Baird conducted the first public demonstration of his invention in 1926, and in 1928 he began regular television broadcasts in the UK. However, these were very simple programs, often showing only silhouettes of people or simple animations.

The Oldest Working Television: Baird Televisor

One of the Baird Televisor models, produced in 1928, is considered the oldest working television in the world. It is part of the collection of the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, UK. What makes this television so special?

• Technical Condition
  Despite its age, the television still works. It can receive signals from a replica of Baird's original transmitter, allowing museum visitors to see what the first television broadcasts looked like.

• Simplicity of Design
  Unlike today's televisions, the Baird Televisor was extremely simple in construction. It consisted of a wooden casing, a rotating Nipkow disk, and basic electronic components. This simplicity contributed to its longevity.

• Historical Significance
  This television is not just a device, but also a symbol of technological revolution. It was one of the first steps towards creating a global medium that is now an integral part of our lives.

Interesting Facts about Baird Televisor

• Image Resolution
  The image displayed by the Baird Televisor had a resolution of just 30 lines. In comparison, modern 4K televisions offer a resolution of 2160 lines.

• Black-and-White World
  The first televisions, including the Baird Televisor, displayed only black-and-white images. Color television only appeared in the 1950s.

• Dimensions and Weight
  The Baird television was small, but its mechanical construction made it quite heavy. Modern televisions are not only larger but also significantly lighter.

Why Remember the Baird Televisor?

The oldest working television in the world is not only a technological curiosity but also a reminder of how far we have come in technology development. Today, televisions offer not only excellent picture and sound but also access to the internet, applications, and games. However, it is devices like the Baird Televisor that initiated this revolution.

If you ever find yourself in Bradford, be sure to visit the National Science and Media Museum to see this remarkable piece of history for yourself. And if you are a technology enthusiast, remember that even the most modern televisions may one day become antiques – just like the Baird Televisor.

Summary
The oldest working television in the world is proof that even the simplest technologies can have a huge impact on our lives. The Baird Televisor is not just a relic of the past, but also an inspiration for future generations of engineers and inventors. Who knows what devices will amaze us in another 100 years?