RARE SINGER MICRO TV! 1960's All Transistor TV,and SONY Micro, SHARP Portable Televisions *

The Rare SINGER All-TRANSISTOR TELEVISION Model TV6: SINGER Corporation was a global leader in high tech electronics in the 1960's, including calculators, computers, navigation systems, defense equipment, consumer products and more. This is a look at the SINGER TV6 and TV6U "tiny televisions" and some of SINGER's competitors, such as the SONY Micro and SHARP TRP 601. A brief presentation compiled to help preserve some of this early SINGER history. Hope you enjoy.
Compiled by the Computer History Archives Project (CHAP), dedicated to the preservation and sharing of vintage computing technologies.
Editing: Victor Kaminsky
Narration: James Izzo
Additional Company Information:
SINGER had acquired numerous electronics companies over the years such as FRIDEN (makers of calculators, computer systems and the historically familiar "Flexowriter" machine), LINK, and others. SINGER Business Machines itself was acquired by ICL of the UK in 1976. ICL, or International Computers Ltd, was a large British Company offering computer hardware, software and services. It operated under name of ICL from 1968 to 2002 when it changed the name to Fujitsu Services Ltd, as a member of the Fujitsu group. The Company’s most successful product line was the mainframe computer series, ICL Series 2900.
Other SINGER acquisitions included:
General Precision Equipment (GPE) (Librascope computers)
Panoramic Electronics (spectrum analyzers, microwave instrumentation)
Sensitive Research Corp. (high-accuracy electrical measuring instrumentation)
Empire Devices, Inc., (electrical and electronic test and measuring equipment, microwave devices) Gertsch (testing equipment (RF etc.))
EMC Instruments (advanced radio frequency interference test equipment)
This SINGER related book looks interesting also (but hard to find) : "Unraveling The Threads: The Life, Death and Resurrection of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, America's First Multi-National Corporation", Paperback - May 16, 2016
by Jack Buckman

[@wyyrdojim]

I have a TV6U that was bought by my great grandmother back in the 60’s. I used to watch it when I was a kid, but eventually it gave out.😎

[@henrymubiana161]

By the way what type of old TVs which has Red Mercury inside ?

[@ptonpc]

Beautiful looking machines.

[@72polara]

Another part of Singer was Gertsch that produced RF test equipment.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi 72polara, yes very true. Singer acquired Gertsch test equipment company and marketed many testing products under the Gertsch name, as part of Singer's many acquisitions. Noticed also that eBay has many Gertsch - Singer testing devices and manuals listed, favorites of many HAM radio experts. We updated our list of Singer acquisitions in the description section too. Thanks VERY much for pointing out the Gertsch connection! ~ Victor, at CHAP

[@cassandrajoiner9933]

Teasing me with sets I don't own. Sharp TRP-601 and the Singer tv 6 are top on my list. Favorites from my collection include a 1966 Panasonic TR-903R, a Delmonico 4T-20U, and I've got 2 of the Nivico 4T-50UHF, and they are incredibly light. I can't wait to be able to fix them.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Cassandra, That sounds fascinating. I also have a Delmonico 4T-20 and a 4T-40. Got them recently, have not done anything with them yet. Finding info and old advertisements for these seems very difficult. I hope your restoration plans for those go well! They look tricky to work on... ~ Victor

[@heavenplus1]

These are beautiful machines of all time.

[@mikeklaene4359]

I did a lot of software for the Singer 1500 series machines. They were originally made by the Cogar Corp that was on Cosby Manor Road in Utica, NY.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Mike, thanks very much! Do you happen to know who made the Singer TV6 TV for Singer? It seems it may have been farmed out to a subsidiary as well. Trying to find out. Thanks! ~ Victor

[@mikeklaene4359]

@@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject Sorry - I have no idea as to who made it.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Mike, ok, thanks. Will keep researching. ~

[@mikeklaene4359]

@@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject It was probably some contract company. Unless you open one and see parts that say Sony or something. Being an old, old time computer guy, I like your channel.

[@cassandrajoiner9933]

@@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject Hitachi transistors, Matsushita (Panasonic) capacitors, my guess is Candle. Could be Crown, but afaik Crown made really light portables (I have a few) I have a Candle MT-510 (couldn't find a sams on it) that has a vhf tuner on the top of a metal case, and a similar handle design. But those two 'brands' are really good about putting their logo on every printed circuit board. My Crown TV-12 is laid out more like a Sony. With flip- down boards and a more delicate tuner. I really need to set up a bench, I want to compare the Candle to the Sony 5-303W. I bet they use the same weird IF frequency. I've seen a few of those Singer tv's but alas I do not own one (yet!)

[@kd1s]

huh. I thought Singer only produced sewing machines. Learn something new everyday I guess.

[@frankowalker4662]

Same here. When he said calculators I nearly spilt my drink. LOL.

[@smashoklw]

Singer used to make high quality stuff. Sadly we bought my daughter a Singer sewing machine a few years ago - it broke down after a year and repairmen would take one look and say it was junk, not worth repairing. How the mighty have fallen.

[@albear972]

Weird era for the sewing machine company. I'd forgotten about their electronics division. What I'm most curious about is what Japanese company made this TV for Singer. 🤔 Obviously the proper Singer company didn't make it.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi albear972, that is a great question. I have been told by a vintage tv collector that he thought that the SINGER TV was made by SONY. That is possible, but as noted in the video, the SINGER's inside construction looks a bit different than the SONY Micro line. SINGER TV uses mostly flat head screws, not Phillips like SONY. I am still researching and trying to find an answer. Matsushita of Japan also made tiny tvs around this time,using the Panasonic name and/or the National brand name...Thanks for your excellent question! Still hunting... ~ Victor, at CHAP

[@kenji6612]

@@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject It seems to have been made by Mitsubishi. There is a similar model - the 6P-125.

[@pilotsmoe]

Singer made guns in WW2, too

[@AaaAaa-ly3on]

Also at Singer's gloriest days their headquarter briefly was the tallest and most luxurious building in the world! - The Singer Building in Manhattan. -Destroyed by greedy idiots in late 60-ies... :(

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

My favorite demolished building.

[@AaaAaa-ly3on]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive Mine would be a Babylon Tower, Alexandria's Library and Roman Coliseum... 😁

[@carlospulpo4205]

Wow the 5-303 was over $2,000 accounted for inflation today or 1/3 the annual median income for the US household in 1962. [Edit] Forget getting Doom to compile/run on the latest smart toaster...I will be impressed to see Doom running on the Singer Model 1503! @ 4:59

[@henrymubiana161]

What is the value for Singer TV from 1959 and what's so special about these type of Singer TV since its so heavy than normal?

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi @henrymubiana161, Having owned several of the Singer Micro TVs, they are very well built and nicely designed. They did not compete well with Sony and other brands over time, so not as many were produced. Some people find them very collectible. They are mostly made of metal, and glass and strong plastic. They are much more rare than the Sony tvs, so people tend to value them higher. Prices fluctuate with condition of the item, and how much the collector wants it. I saw one on eBay for $375, which is the highest I have seen in a while. Hope this helps. ~ Victor, at CHAP

[@ofernandesz1220]

Still the brand Singer is one on the leading brands in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Ofdo, that is interesting to know! Thanks. ~ Victor

[@frankowalker4662]

I always did like Sony, realy well designed and built to last.

[@fabianernestopacheco]

Los televisores nunca han sido las cosas visualmente más bonitas de toda la tecnología. 😅😅😅

[@ldchappell1]

Singer making a television is like Bose making a refrigerator. Hewlett Packard making a pistol. Apple Computer selling window cleaner.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

You made me laugh! ~ Thanks! ~ Victor,

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

👍👍

[@mitch19636]

Interesting...

[@ljmorris6496]

$229 in 1961 = $2300..😮

[@stevelalancette6988]

Oh man, the prices of those TV are high for this era.

[@Bearbun38]

I just picked up a TV6u at a yard sale for $10. I plugged it in and the screen produces a white square that is only visible when I turn up the brightness. I hear the speaker but it’s not putting out music or TV sounds. I have no idea how to work the damn thing (I’m 23 and have never had anything like this) If anyone can help me learn how to operate it or point me in the right direction that would be greatly appreciated 😅

[@Bearbun38]

It was still in its leather case. Looks basically unused.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi @Bearbun38, that is a great yard sale find for only $10 ! These Singer TV sets are pretty rare! It is not unusual for it not to work completely after all this time. The capacitors usually fail and have to be replaced. If you are interested in getting it working, perhaps you can find a local repair shop that can do electronic circuit repair (old transistor radios, stereos, amplifiers, etc.) that could help diagnose the issues and give you a quote for fixing it. These are usually too heavy to ship via mail, unless you are willing to pay the cost. There are unlikely to be broadcast TV stations in most areas nowadays, so getting a video signal would take some creative connecting. KZbin is a good source of info on that too. Good luck. Its a great piece of 1960's tech, in either case. Great find! ~ Victor, CHAP

[@Bearbun38]

@@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject Thank you! I will be searching for local repair shops!

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I looks like my Sony Bravia 3D TV my out live me

[@AaaAaa-ly3on]

"-Hold the ground, mate!" ;) Inevitably 3D will return even better than before - 100%!..

[@syxepop]

@@AaaAaa-ly3on - maybe if that 3D TV had "Smell A Vision" included... 🤣🤣🤣