A '53 (I think) Zenith 21"
 

Picked this set up yesterday from a man cleaning out his garage - it's a 21" Zenith from about 1953. The gentleman bought it off of eBay, the seller had pictures of it working fine. When he received it he was sick - the seller simply placed it in a regular box and poured styrofoam peanuts around it. The neck of the 21FP4A CRT snapped off.

Otherwise, there appears to be no damage - the set is very nice. I'm not sure where I'm going to put it - it is a big tabletop set!

It also has a jack on the rear for a remote. I was not aware they had remotes available this early.

So what kind of remote would have been used with this set?

It wouldn't have been the Lazy Bones wired remote, would it?

Ooh-man! That brings back memories from my childhood--coz we had one very much like that! :thmbsp:

My guess is that it is a little later than '53....IMHO....

IIRC Zenith had optic remotes where you would aim and shine a light at various targets on the set to actuate the various functions.

Then later they came up with various sonar-type systems involving a hammer mechanism in the remote that would strike a chime bar, or create a whistle.

I rember a chum of my younger brother that was able to make my grampa's old Space Command Zenith change channels by screaming at the set...:D

Your set is a K model which is 1953. The "Lazy Bones" remote (wired) was available for that model. I have the dealer sheet for your set if your are interested in a copy.

Steve

I would appreciate that Steve.

This is the oldest set I've acquired and I'm looking forward to working on it down the road after I get some other projects finished. I'm lucky to have the original owner's manual for this set with a schematic tucked in it.

The model number should be something like K2235. Let me know and PM me your email address and I will send you the scan from the dealer sheet.

Steve

I had a Philco that was a little newer than that with the wired remote. It was very simple, I think 3 wires, and you could easily replicate it with a switch or two (and some long wire.)

I don't see a motor attached to the tuner so I'm guessing this set was never outfitted with a remote, just that the option was available.

Lazy Bones kits show up on eBay from time to time, usually for big $$

I'd like to get a good look at one - searching the internet only turned up multiple copies of a 1950 advertisement for the "Lazy Bones" remote.

And Steve: I'll send you the model number in the next couple of days - I already had put the set in my storage space (I'm remodeling the garage.)