Radiovision

Although television is common today, before it developed into its current form it was known as Radiovision. Radiovision was the first mechanical television that was able to transmit moving silhouette images to other locations. To perform this feat it worked quite different than that of the modern television. It consisted of a radio set with an extra addition that allowed for the projection of 40-48 line images projected onto a small mirror.

Obviously, because the images were very poor quality, and because the technology so new, viewers of the radiovision were provided with blurry photos which slowly moved across the screen. However, at the time, this sub-par example of the modern television was considered practically a miracle of scientific advancement.

The seemingly miracle of radiovision was invented by a man names Charles Jenkins from Dayton Ohio. He was responsible for projecting the first images onto a radiovision screen on June 14^th, 1923. Two years later the first broadcast performance of Charles Jenkins himself went on air in June 1925.

Quickly, Jenkins created the Jenkins Television Corporation to manufacture, market, and sell the radiovision devices. Originally sold for prices between $85 and $135, several thousand sets were sold throughout the country. However, at this time the radiovision was considered a high-end luxury item, only available to the wealthiest members of society.

Throughout the next few years, Jenkins founded the first television station, W3XK in Wheaton, Maryland, as well as radiovision movies produced by Jenkins Laboratories Incorporated. By 1928 these movies were being broadcast regularly throughout the eastern United States.

Unfortunately for Jenkins, the development of the modern-day television continued in parallel with the development of radiovision. As the television's quality and diverse content grew, the use of the radiovision device dwindled. Today, the television remains strong, while the radiovision hasn't been seen for decades. Despite this, however, the radiovision device created by Jenkins remains a strong example of the early technological advancements that supported the development of the modern day television.