How The Television Has Evolved 1920-2020


Television is one of the few designs that had the most profound impact on twentieth-century civilization. As demonstrated by Reddit user CaptnChristiana in this illustrated poster, design has advanced significantly from the boxy vintage contraptions of yesteryear, such as the Emyvisor and the Marconi. 21st-century viewers are spoilt, with flatscreens and high-definition displays that may appear sharper and more vivid than reality itself.

The Octagon, manufactured by General Electric in 1928, was the forefather of contemporary television. It employed mechanical, spinning disc technology to show images on its three-inch screen. While it was never mass-produced, it played the world’s first television drama, “The Queen’s Messenger.”