View Full Version : Remember "Free TV" Signs on Motels?


W3XWT
10-05-2013, 07:38 PM
Check this out!

This is off a postcard for a motel in the Northern Virginia area from back in the 1950's. And, right above the TV is what looks like a coin box from those "Magic Fingers" massagers of the 1960's. Obviously "pay TV" came early to the D.C. area!

Can anyone ID the TV in the photo?

73,

John
W3XWT/4

stromberg6
10-05-2013, 08:37 PM
Similar look to a Motorola I once had, but I don't think that's the one. Mine had a 16 inch tube. That one looks like a 12 incher, but I may be wrong. Trying to think of manufacturers that produced sets cheap enough to allow motel operators to equip rooms.
Thanks for the pic!!
Kevin

Telecruiser
10-05-2013, 10:56 PM
Check this out!

This is off a postcard for a motel in the Northern Virginia area from back in the 1950's. And, right above the TV is what looks like a coin box from those "Magic Fingers" massagers of the 1960's. Obviously "pay TV" came early to the D.C. area!

Can anyone ID the TV in the photo?

73,

John
W3XWT/4

Don't know for sure about the TV, but the timer was pretty common in the 1950's and 60's. Usually you got 30-60 minutes for a dime. I remember my Dad going ballistic when we stayed at a "rip-off" hotel that wanted 25 cents to turn on the TV! I also remember similar timers on air conditioners and of course the "Magic Fingers" beds, which were a quarter by the time I got to appreciate them....

Dude111
10-06-2013, 12:15 AM
Wow I liked that picture!! (Everything in it was quality stuff)