'Videosphere' television set, made by JVC, Japan, 1970. Includes white ABS plastic television, two base units (one with alarm clock) and spare ring aerial.

Spherical white plastic television. A smoked acrylic 'visor' covers the glass screen inside. Tuning dial, controls for volume, brightness etc, and a metal hanging/carrying chain on the top. At the back is an extending aerial, further aerial sockets and controls.

Square alarm clock base for Videosphere television. White plastic casing with black front.
Acrylic screen covers digital clock display. Four controls for setting time and operating
alarm.

Given by Adam Carey

This Videosphere television set was acquired by Pamela Powers' partner as a result of a points award scheme instigated by Alfa Romeo in the early 1970s. As an employee of Alfa Romeo he earned points for each sale he made and was able to convert the points into gifts which were selected from a catalogue. The JVC Videosphere was chosen for Pamela Powers, son, Adam Carey, in around 1970 or 1971. Adam, who was about 11 years old then, used the television in his bedroom at home in Chelsea.

Historical significance: The form of the JVC Videosphere alludes to a spaceman's helmet. In the late 60s space travel had captured the public imagination and was influential on popular and high design. Dated to 1970 the Videosphere can be seen as a direct result of the popularity of the first moon landing which took place in 1969.

The Videosphere is known to have been produced in both orange and white versions. Such bright primary colours were typical of pop design, as was the choice of hard wearing, durable ABS plastic.

The design has generally been dated to 1970. According to JVC UK the serial number of this example indicates that it was not made until 1974, and the model was apparently only available until 1976. Records at Die Neue Sammlung Museum, Munich, who also have an example of the Videosphere, suggest that the TV was designed in 1970 and produced between 1971-74.

Reason For Production: Retail

The Videosphere was designed in 1970 by JVC (the Viktor Company of Japan) and its shape is said to be inspired by the space helmets worn by astronauts on the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission in 1969 and Stanley Kubrick's space travel epic, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). It was designed to appeal to a public captivated by the space race between the United States (U.S.) and the Soviet Union who competed to achieve dominance in space flight technologies. Beginning in 1955 and ending with the moon landing in 1969, the space race initiated far-reaching achievements in science, space exploration and technology

Designed with a pop art aesthetic and manufactured from hard wearing ABS plastic, the television was produced in orange and white versions with visor-like smoky glass screens. In contrast to the traditional square wood-veneered television, the Videosphere was one of the first sets to be specifically styled as a second set for the home, notably the teenager's bedroom, where it could be suspended by a chain from the ceiling.

W.661:1 to 4-2001