TV's First Star - Felix The Cat

Here is a reproduction of how the first continuously broadcast image appeared. Felix The Cat is considered by many to be the first star of television. His image appeared continuously for many months as engineers calibrated equipment and experimental TV sets.
The figure was a simple celluloid (a type of early plastic) doll that overtime melted and was taped together. Engineers eventually placed him on a turntable (record player) to see how motion would look on their equipment.
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[@yaboimaxwell9031]

The first TV show was a cat video!

[@rickyfan3956]

The reason they chose to use a statue of Felix instead of using a human being or animal was because the lights they had were so HOT nobody could withstand it. And even here, you can SEE how hot it was in there! See the heatwaves passing in front of the camera?

[@michaelparylak5649]

Could you imagine how much vintage footage was destroyed on account of that technological fact. Anyone who's ever used a home movie projector machine wood have some insight into that.

[@goofygoober4901]

this shit is disturbing, imagine turning on the television and seeing this at 2 am

[@frenchjr25]

Luckily no one had a TV at the time.

[@Astr_Atm]

Adult swim bumps be like:

[@BenjaminBowling777]

world's very first TV broadcast. Felix the cat was the world's first character on TV

[@citsume]

And ironically, after 10 years, they replaced me with Mickey Mouse.

[@trentsgangreturns2nddontgi385]

Indeed

[@ChatGPt2001]

The world's very first television broadcast is a topic of historical significance and has been subject to some debate and varying interpretations depending on how "television broadcast" is defined. Here are a few key points related to early television history: 1. **Baird's Demonstration (1926):** One notable event often cited as the world's first television demonstration was conducted by John Logie Baird in 1926. Baird demonstrated his early mechanical television system, which transmitted a rudimentary image of a ventriloquist's dummy's head. This event is considered a crucial milestone in the development of television technology. 2. **Experimental Broadcasts (1920s-1930s):** In the early days of television development, there were experimental broadcasts and demonstrations conducted by various inventors and engineers. These broadcasts typically featured simple images or test patterns rather than specific characters or programs. 3. **Felix the Cat on Television:** Felix the Cat did become one of the early stars of television animation when his cartoons were broadcast in the 1950s. However, it's essential to distinguish between the first television broadcast overall and the first appearance of specific characters or programs on TV. 4. **BBC Television Service (1930s):** The BBC launched regular television broadcasts in the 1930s, which marked a significant milestone in the history of television as a mass medium. These early broadcasts featured a range of programming, including news, entertainment, and educational content. 5. **Phil Farnsworth's Demonstration (1927):** Another important event in television history was Philo Farnsworth's successful demonstration of electronic television in 1927. Farnsworth's system laid the groundwork for modern electronic television technology. In summary, while Felix the Cat became an early television star, he was not part of the very first television broadcast. The distinction of the world's first television broadcast depends on how one defines and interprets the term, considering the various experimental and developmental stages of television technology.

[@teckzusferalupus5382]

He is watching you all day. Don't look back.

[@carlostheimposterfunnymeme139]

He is the cartoon Cat

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

Looks just about as clear as the first steps on the Moon. Yes, there is something really creepy about it.

[@carlostheimposterfunnymeme139]

Cartoon Cat

[@christianmedlin6934]

From what I've read, they did this test an extremely lengthy amount of time & the reason they chose the figure was because it could withstand the extreme heat that the lights needed for the testing put out.

[@fromthesidelines]

It also revolved on a phonograph turntable.

[@Felix_Effex]

It was not plastic as I recall, it was paper mache.

[@jb20092009]

@@Felix_EffexThey didn’t have plastic in the 1930s.

[@jb20092009]

Plastic was invented during WWII when raw materials were either being used for the war effort or unobtainable from our enemies.

[@michaelparylak5649]

Could you imagine how much of the Vintage footage destroyed on account of the fact of the Hot Lights as a necessity. Anyone who's ever used a home movie projector machine would have a little insight into that.

[@a.username7927]

There's something oddly comedic about this. I don't know, the way the doll just stares at you is bizzare yet funny

[@coledakers6127]

0:00

[@ricthething]

Average Simpsons stare

[@boleslawpetroski9681]

100 percent of American TV sets were tuned in to this exciting moment

[@frenchjr25]

Yep. Back in those days though the number of sets in the US were literally in the dozens.

[@ChatGPt2001]

Felix the Cat is often considered one of the first stars of television animation. However, it's important to note that Felix the Cat's origins trace back to the silent film era, and he predates the advent of television. Felix the Cat was created by Australian cartoonist Pat Sullivan and American animator Otto Messmer. The character first appeared in a short film titled "Feline Follies," which was released on November 9, 1919. Felix quickly became a popular and iconic character in silent films during the 1920s. While Felix the Cat wasn't initially created for television, the character found a new audience when his cartoons were broadcast on television in the 1950s. The exposure on TV revitalized interest in Felix, introducing him to a new generation of viewers. Felix the Cat's transition to television helped solidify his status as an enduring and beloved animated character. Despite not being created specifically for television, Felix's presence on the small screen played a significant role in his continued popularity over the years.

[@BaslerJones]

WOW BEST SHOW EVA

[@MrLeckey]

The Nine Consciousnesses of Felix.

[@markpav9906]

Felix 100yrs old 9/nov/2019 happy birthday Felix

[@christianmedlin1740]

That is so cool! That Felix the cat, who is still going strong today (just one month and nine days away from his 95th birthday) one of my many favorite cartoon characters was the very first one ever on television. Simply awesome!

[@hueyj1975]

Cat's rule the TV And The Internet

[@phoebecatgirl9968]

Most certainly!!

[@citsume]

Yep, we sure rule :3

[@kaytea42]

Felix the Cat I found you, FAKER

[@MrLeckey]

One - a wild and feral cat, he was once of primal nature. Of one with the other beasts of the earth - including man!

[@MrLeckey]

Seven -Melted into air he became an electronic image and by the magic of a spinning wheel his likeness reproduced everywhere.

[@karengaiter2608]

I could only imagine someone found the doll on an auction site or un a warehouse of vaults of rca

[@marcjoseph9448]

Its actually owned by the son/present owner of the creator of Felix the Cat.

[@frenchjr25]

Being on TV and being a "star" are two different things.

[@boleslawpetroski9681]

100 percent of US TVs were tuned into this

[@lasfinest73]

Just the subliminal symbolism of this wild/anchient creature,treated&worshiped like a God

[@therockinggoomba]

Proof that the creation of all video related things were to make videos of our cats.

[@autumncalicocat]

Fun fact: When the first working Tf came out a Felix the cat doll spinning on a record would play for 2 hours every day of course this was only a test but they accidentally broadcasted it and no one was actually supposed to watch and the only people who saw it were the ones who had a TV

[@isaacarmendariz2538]

Felix you don look so good

[@mel2000]

TV technology experiments took place between 1927 - 1946. Would have been useful to put a date on the Felix TV demo.

[@billdang3953]

Wasn't these test broadcasts also done using mechanical scan television?

[@salt907]

I had to look up Disturbing Felix the Cat dool to see this video again didn't disappoint lol but also holy freak if I saw that on tv in the 40s as a kid I would have nightmares for decades

[@ferociousgumby]

Wake up, kitty. . . here. . . I have some nice tuna

[@garfeldi_gaming]

best show

[@AshMLP]

Why is this kinda eerie

[@jackwolf7966]

So awesome!

[@MrLeckey]

Eight- No longer the one but the many, multiplied like the wind by an untiring machine. He is a category unto himself, the Kategory of Felix which contains multitudes. A Kolossal Kat! A Massive MOG!

[@whokilleddedinosaurs]

Just as funny as ever!

[@MrLeckey]

Sixth -for as soon as he stepped forth as a commodity he was changed into something transcendent.

[@Selbarm]

what a Handsome Cat! 😻

[@churchofaiden]

that 60p.

[@averyellis]

You know, you would think so; but Kardashians and Honey Boo Boo unfortunately prove that those things are synonymous.

[@ApocalypseHare]

awesome!

[@MrDarling1502]

the first tv broadcast would be a cat video..

[@LimeLoaf]

CUTE

[@user-et6hc9te2g]

I like felix the cat!

[@citsume]

Glad you do! ^^'

[@jackwolf7966]

I did not know Felix was a TV equipment engineer and productionist

[@frenchjr25]

"Productionist" - never heard of that title and I'm a TV historian. The Felix image was used by engineers to test and adjust equipment.

[@christianmedlin6934]

Where did you get this footage?

[@newagetapes]

+Christian Medlin It's a recreation.

[@MundoVCH]

@@newagetapes is a image with effects

[@BrazilianDaftPunkFan]

The bad quality makes it even cursed

[@frenchjr25]

That's not "bad quality". This is an example of the best available resolution at the time.

[@vawlkee51]

Was Baird one of "The Fools On the Hill?"

[@AwesomeDrawer2017]

Me when I realized I forgot to do my homework

[@damxspa]

Is that recording real? What year would it be? For the quality it would have to be before 1932

[@realDannyBoi111]

It says in the description this is a reproduction (or in more simple terms a remake)

[@ultimatesupernova5682]

That is scary.

[@randominus3887]

yay!

[@danielslade9485]

This reproduction was done using the same celluloid statue and an old 35mm movie camera.

[@LeandroBenevenuto]

E já foi o primeiro curta-metragem TRASH da humanidade... O.O

[@xboxgamesxbox9455]

Welp. Time to call a exorcist.

[@EduKingSP]

Ahh é, o boneco de papel machê que pegou fogo depois das gravações da BBC, citado no Nerdcast 273. *COOL*

[@artursouza6004]

FeLiX .

[@MrLeckey]

Three- He descended to a domestic pet, and became a mere creature of habit. Though the stroking of him brings pleasure in interaction. Felis Catus!

[@Chensoman]

Creepy af

[@MrLeckey]

Five - His fame saw him carved into a idol, a wooden doll which in turn led him to become something far more wonderful…

[@willsonwillson2993]

Mark Leckey an Idol you say? *Todokete*

[@jorbakes87]

it was impervious to heat. it was made of paper mache not plastic.

[@MrLeckey]

Four -In the Machine-age he became enchanted by technology. An animated being galvanised by electricity!

[@cricketcredits]

I think this is the remake of the original broadcast. I don't know, dude. Hehe

[@frenchjr25]

Yep. That's why I use the word "reproduction" on the description.

[@marinex84]

300 canais....e só tem gato!

[@greenore44]

it looks like it wants to kill me or something...

[@MrLeckey]

Two - He was the Ancient Egyptian deity of Bubasis. A sacred exalted spirit that inhabited both the earth and the heavens up above. Cousin of the Sphinx but more ancient than the sphinx and remembering all that which is forgotten.

[@steelingcable6350]

Felix is God

[@phoebecatgirl9968]

Was this in the 1920s?

[@cricketcredits]

I think this was made in the 1930's or 1920's.

[@biellucas01]

devia ser um calor do caramba

[@lapreserothwell-nikoi2213]

ur welcome for creepiness

[@icetroniks]

NerdCast \o/

[@darkguy300]

i'm scary

Nerdcast me trouxe aqui

[@dancssx]

Joinha

[@hipoflex22]

3º JN! parece filme de terror... quero ver alguem assitir essa porra com sono

[@duckyyyaj247]

Is this the real thing? Wasn't it spinning on a record player for the whole time?

[@frenchjr25]

Like the caption says - this is a reproduction. This is meant to show you what the picture quality of an electric television system looked like at the time.

[@duckyyyaj247]

William French thanks

[@cricketcredits]

@William French but where is the original footage?

[@rayvega3163]

@@cricketcredits unfortunately, it's probably lost to time. Actual photos of it somehow survived though.

[@cricketcredits]

@@rayvega3163 yeah because mechanical television programs were live back then so it didn't have any means to record or archive them prior to Kinescope and Videotape. But I saw some 1930s mechanical TV recordings and Paul Nipkow television station broadcasts, also some 1930 or 1935 tv recordings on KZbin recently.

[@MrLeckey]

Nine - He is returned to his earlier incarnations as a spirit come to earth, half of this world and another. He is a radiant messenger, a divine emanation of the Long Tail.

[@MasterGaia]

Sinistro.... :|

[@kdscruz]

nerdcast bom para caralh##

[@juneru2]

you thought you were watching him? nah, think again...

[@wassupbroooo]

Im scared

[@edupazz]

Creepy

[@Heverton-wd5sf]

fear

[@7karlheinz]

...and TV has been going downhill ever since!

[@HQMan2008]

Mais assustador que o vídeo d'O Chamado

[@marinex84]

@matheusrosa94 Para fazer isso, só morrendo e nascendo de novo!

[@josey428]

............

[@LeandroBenevenuto]

@marinex84 1 canal...e só tem gato! (Pior?! haha)

[@jorbakes87]

actially its made of paper mache :)

[@maxellxune6426]

Hell naw. To the naw naw naw.

[@rafaelmedeiros8086]

joinha se vc veio aqui por causa do Jovem Nerd

[@lethukk2837]

Is that what they watched all day back then? 😂

[@cricketcredits]

@lethu kk this is the experimental broadcast.

[@leaha888]

lol it looks like he is in an oven

[@lapreserothwell-nikoi2213]

playback speed 0.25

[@jwjw3677]

And turn loop on,

[@k.dalpha9367]

Cursed media

[@rocha866]

Jovem nerd. Obs: medo Oo

[@ilpeconz5439]

creepy af

[@Big_K_316]

& he was nude!

[@bryanhisllas8946]

Creepy as hell...

[@waldirwop]

jovem nerd

[@matheusrosa94]

parem de ser brasileiros.

[@boscorayo2923]

Creepy