Home > Oldest working TV in Britain found
Oldest working TV in Britain found
A 73-year old television set has won a nationwide search by Digital UK to find the oldest working TV in Britain.
The contest was organised by Digital UK (the body behind the digital switchover) in conjunction with Iain Logie Baird, Curator of Television at the National Media Museum in Bradford, and grandson of TV inventor, John Logie Baird.
The Marconiphone 702 was manufactured in Britain around November 1936 – just in time for the first ever BBC broadcasts from Alexandra Palace. Unlike today’s enormous LCD and plasma sets, the Marconiphone has a modest 12” screen. However, it would have cost 60 Guineas to buy new – the equivalent of £11,000 today!
The television’s owner, Jeffry Borinksy, a consultant engineer from North London, has owned the set for ten years. He said: “I still enjoy watching my Marconiphone occasionally, especially cartoons from the 1930s, which the original owner might have seen on the set. Converting the set to digital means I can continue to watch it for many years to come.”
Indeed, with the addition of a specially adapted set-top box, the Marconiphone is enjoying a new lease of life receiving digital channels. Jon Steel, of Digital UK, said: “We want to remind viewers that age is no barrier to getting your old TV ready for switchover.”
While few consumers today would expect their new televisions to last 76 years, you can nevertheless look after your television as it gets older with breakdown protection. Domestic & General offer quotes on most makes and models of television.
Why not get a TV quote now? >>
And don't forget to enter our prize draw to win a Toshiba laptop and
a year's subscription to PC Guru! (Please enter the prize draw by clicking on the prize draw link in the email you've received from us).
Related articles:
© Domestic & General Group Limited
