Television History




Television History Item #270

 

Hi Puzzlers,

It looks like our Television History puzzle has made it into our top 50 again this month.  I have to say it is one of my favorites too!  Looking at it is like looking through an old photo album filled with pictures of family and friends.  Wow! So much of how we conduct ourselves as a family and a society has change as a result of its invention. 

Studies reveal most people are so attached to the “tube” that they wouldn’t give it up even for a million dollars!  Most feel it’s their best resource for information and entertainment.   According to the Nielsen’s Television Audience Report more than half the homes in America have 3 or more televisions sets and in 2009 the average U.S. home had only 2.5 people verse 2.86 television sets.  Televisions have made their way into our bedrooms, bathrooms and even our kitchens.

One of televisions best buddies is the TV dinner.  Many claim it was invented by Gerry Thomas in 1954.  Gerry is also credited with inventing the name; he called them Swanson TV Dinners.  These handy little frozen meals could be cooked with no fuss or hassle in the oven and cleaned up was a snap because of that disposable aluminum tray.  Early choices included Meatloaf, Salisbury Steak, Turkey and Fried Chicken; each meal included mashed potatoes, carrots or green peas.  The yummy deserts were not added until later to increase customer appeal.  Imagine all that for just 98¢ each.

In 1987, the Smithsonian Institution placed a TV dinner tray on display to commemorate its impact on American society.   How many of you remember the whole family seated in a semicircle around the television eating these?  Maybe Gun Smoke, I Love Lucy, or The Jackie Gleason Show was on.

My old friends include Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman and Star Trek.   I just loved seeing these smart, take charge, and get the job done, kind of women week after week.  And if that wasn’t enough they proved you could look great doing it!  Star Trek offered me to boldly go where no man has gone before.  Places were men, women and people of all races and religions worked together for a unified goal. Thanks Gene!

My new favorites include some reality television shows like American Idol’s tell it like it is or was, Simon Cowell and Dancing with the Stars Len Goodman…uhm maybe we should do a reality television puzzle, what do you think?

Happy Puzzling!