This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/technology/8159406.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Oldest UK television discovered Oldest UK television discovered
(40 minutes later)
Britain's oldest working television has been uncovered in a house in London.Britain's oldest working television has been uncovered in a house in London.
The 1936 Marconiphone, thought to have been made in the months that Britain's first television service began, was tracked down after a competition.The 1936 Marconiphone, thought to have been made in the months that Britain's first television service began, was tracked down after a competition.
The set belongs to Jeffrey Borinsky, an electrical engineer and collector of antique television and radio sets.The set belongs to Jeffrey Borinsky, an electrical engineer and collector of antique television and radio sets.
He bought the set, which has a 12-inch (30cm) screen from another collector 10 years ago and is still working on restoring it to its original state.He bought the set, which has a 12-inch (30cm) screen from another collector 10 years ago and is still working on restoring it to its original state.
The screen is mounted inside a wooden cabinet. The image from the cathode ray tube, mounted vertically inside the cabinet, is reflected onto a mirror.The screen is mounted inside a wooden cabinet. The image from the cathode ray tube, mounted vertically inside the cabinet, is reflected onto a mirror.
The few controls include volume and vertical hold, but there is no channel changer, as there was only one channel when it was made: the BBC.The few controls include volume and vertical hold, but there is no channel changer, as there was only one channel when it was made: the BBC.
Modern in partModern in part
The set appears to be in good condition, but Mr Borinsky aims to replace a number of modern components with originals.The set appears to be in good condition, but Mr Borinsky aims to replace a number of modern components with originals.
"The cabinet was beautifully restored by the previous owner," he explained,' but my aim is to gradually restore its electronics to its true 1936 magnificence," he said."The cabinet was beautifully restored by the previous owner," he explained,' but my aim is to gradually restore its electronics to its true 1936 magnificence," he said.
Marconi also made the "Instantaneous Television Camera" shown in 1936Marconi also made the "Instantaneous Television Camera" shown in 1936
But the Marconiphone 702 still works as a modern television.But the Marconiphone 702 still works as a modern television.
It has been hooked up to a Freeview box so that it can show digital channels, although Mr Borinsky has had to install a standards converter so that a modern television signal can be seen.It has been hooked up to a Freeview box so that it can show digital channels, although Mr Borinsky has had to install a standards converter so that a modern television signal can be seen.
Mr Borinsky only keeps the set turned on up to two hours at a time, and he uses it to view films from the 1930s and 1940s.Mr Borinsky only keeps the set turned on up to two hours at a time, and he uses it to view films from the 1930s and 1940s.
He says he enjoys watching the kind of pictures that might have been seen by the original owners.He says he enjoys watching the kind of pictures that might have been seen by the original owners.
The National Media Museum in Bradford has a similar set, but does not use it to show television pictures for fear of damaging it.The National Media Museum in Bradford has a similar set, but does not use it to show television pictures for fear of damaging it.
Iain Logie Baird, the curator of television at the museum, said it is a thrill to see the Marconiphone working.Iain Logie Baird, the curator of television at the museum, said it is a thrill to see the Marconiphone working.
"It's very exciting to see the image the way people would have seen it in 1936, before television became ubiquitous as it is today," he said."It's very exciting to see the image the way people would have seen it in 1936, before television became ubiquitous as it is today," he said.
Mr Logie Baird, grandson of the television pioneer John Logie Baird, says this set would have been of huge local interest when it was first acquired at a cost of 60 guineas - the equivalent of £11,000 today.Mr Logie Baird, grandson of the television pioneer John Logie Baird, says this set would have been of huge local interest when it was first acquired at a cost of 60 guineas - the equivalent of £11,000 today.
"Television was a very exciting thing, it was something that the whole neighbourhood would come over to watch. People would crowd into the home of the owner.""Television was a very exciting thing, it was something that the whole neighbourhood would come over to watch. People would crowd into the home of the owner."
The set was discovered as the result of a competition run by Digital UK, the body overseeing the switch to digital television. The aim was to publicise the message that just about any television, however old, can be converted to show digital channels.The set was discovered as the result of a competition run by Digital UK, the body overseeing the switch to digital television. The aim was to publicise the message that just about any television, however old, can be converted to show digital channels.


What is the oldest appliance you have at home? Does it still work? Tell us about it by filling in the form below. You can also email pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or SMS to 61124 (if you are in the UK) or +44 7725 100100 (if you are outside the UK)What is the oldest appliance you have at home? Does it still work? Tell us about it by filling in the form below. You can also email pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or SMS to 61124 (if you are in the UK) or +44 7725 100100 (if you are outside the UK)
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions

Hoover vacuum cleaner c. 1953. Stored in the loft and non-working. Identical to the model displayed in the National History Museum at St. Fagan's, Cardiff.Jeff Brooks, Newport, Gwent, Wales
I have a Danset record player purchased in 1955/56. has been in storage for the last 40 years. Any idea of its likely value?David Percival, Reading, Berks
I have a stereo, nearly 30 years old, only the radio still works but I keep it for the brilliant sound quality. Same for my dad only his is nearer 50 years old. Couldn't possibly afford anything so good now; please don't switch off the analogue signal!Kay Taylor, Warwick
1920's / 1930's toaster. Opens on both sides to reveal bare elements akin to a open electric fire. The finger holds of the side flaps that fold down to enable bread to be clamped to each side are made of Bakelite. Worked last time we dug it out. In loft out of harms way.Sue, near Marlow, England
My Mother who, at 87 years old still works very wellPete, Wallasey, Wirral