Television [DRECO Telestar]
Maker and role
Dominion Radio and Electric Corporation Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1959
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2003.353
Production period
Description
1959 black and white television; 24" screen, mahogany wood veneer mounted on metal frame on 4 metal legs. The screen surround is cream and the border outside the cream surround is green. The screen surround and border are made of plastic. The control panel is on the side of the television. The control panel is black with 5 knobs. The large knob is for changing the channel. The knobs are white plastic with corrugated grip surfaces.
On the front of the television top right hand corner, above the speaker, is a badge which reads: Custom Built by DRECO (possibly the Dominion Radio Electric Company). On the bottom right hand speaker cloth is a red Telestar badge. On the back panel is the chassis Tube Layout Chart. Also, a Group Rentals sticker with the Model No.0082, serial No.546615.
There is an electric cord approximately 3 metres extending from the back of the television. This grey cord has a white 3-pin plug.
On the front of the television top right hand corner, above the speaker, is a badge which reads: Custom Built by DRECO (possibly the Dominion Radio Electric Company). On the bottom right hand speaker cloth is a red Telestar badge. On the back panel is the chassis Tube Layout Chart. Also, a Group Rentals sticker with the Model No.0082, serial No.546615.
There is an electric cord approximately 3 metres extending from the back of the television. This grey cord has a white 3-pin plug.
Brief History
Television was first broadcast in Great Britain in the 1930s but only became available in New Zealand in 1960, the year of the country’s first official broadcast. Prior to this the fireplace would have been the main visual focus in the living room, and families would have sat and listened to the radio together. Broadcast television in New Zealand in 1960 was very different to today, without the programming choices we have come to expect. The initial four regional stations joined into one nationwide network in 1969, with colour television and a second channel launching in 1974.
In the 1940s, the New Zealand Government put in place import tariffs which protected local manufacturers. These were still in place in the 1960s and 70s when the Dominion Radio Electric Company (DRECO) was manufacturing a range of television sets, including this one. Twenty New Zealand television manufacturers were identified in a 1965 report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.
In the 1940s, the New Zealand Government put in place import tariffs which protected local manufacturers. These were still in place in the 1960s and 70s when the Dominion Radio Electric Company (DRECO) was manufacturing a range of television sets, including this one. Twenty New Zealand television manufacturers were identified in a 1965 report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.
Marks
Custom built by / DRECO Logo
Telestar Logo
Telestar Logo
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Dominion Radio and Electric Corporation Limited. 1959. Television [DRECO Telestar], 2003.353. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
On display?
On display
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