Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Sony TV-400V Micro TV - 1965
By bohus
We really do live in the future. Over the last 10-20 years, it’s become perfectly normal to carry around a TV set in your pocket. LCD imaging and clever CRT designs have made it possible to create truly mini TV’s since about the 80's. Now imagine the stir this little black and white transistorized television made when it was introduced in 1965 - the literature of the day called it a "Walkie Watchie" - glad that name didn't stick!
The Sony TV400V is remarkably small; about the size of three soda cans in a row. Everything about it is miniaturized; the 3.5" screen, the speaker, even the buttons and knobs. Futuristic function clad in a lunchbox-handled case with spiffy Tricorder styling.
Surprisingly, this TV could be even smaller since about a quarter of its bulk is taken up by the rechargeable battery pack. Yep - you could take TV on the road with you back in 1965. I wish that I could tell you how good the picture is, but the AC cord receptacle isn't like anything that I’ve ever seen. It would sure be fun to catch some reruns on MeTV (Chicago UHF station that shows classic TV).
If I can find some way to get power into the 40 year old batteries, I’m going to take this TV on the bus with me. Hooked up to unmistakably modern white earbuds, imagine the heads turning as I chortle while watching Sergeant Bilko. Then again, maybe I don’t need to encourage more people into thinking that I'm some strange indigent.
