Here is another sign of – well, actually from, “The Times”. (The New York Times, that is) from 1946. An advertisement for DuMont Televisions.
Dumont – what the heck is that?
I’d heard of, seen, and viewed programs on, sets by RCA, Zenith, and Motorola. But, DuMont? What was DuMont? Who was Hildegarde?
A little searching (see the excerpts below) reveals the answers….
From Wikipedia: “The DuMont Television Network … was one of the world’s pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC and CBS for the distinction of being first overall in the United States. It began operation in 1946. It was owned by DuMont Laboratories, a television equipment and set manufacturer. The network was hindered by the prohibitive cost of broadcasting, by regulations imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which restricted the company’s growth, and even by the company’s partner, Paramount Pictures. Despite several innovations in broadcasting and the creation of one of television’s biggest stars of the 1950s (Jackie Gleason), the network never found itself on solid financial ground. Forced to expand on UHF channels during an era when UHF tuning was not yet a standard feature on television sets, DuMont fought an uphill battle for program clearances outside of their three owned-and-operated stations in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, finally ending network operations in 1956.”
“DuMont Laboratories was an American television equipment manufacturer. The company was founded in 1931, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, by inventor Allen B. DuMont. Among the company’s developments were durable cathode ray tubes that would be used for TV. Another product was a DuMont invention, the magic eye tube.”
But, who was Hildegarde?: “Hildegard Frieda Albertine Knef (28 December 1925 – 1 February 2002) was a German actress, singer, and writer. She was billed in some English language films as Hildegard Neff or Hildegarde Neff.”
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Here’s the text of the ad:
HILDEGARDE SAYS:
“Darling, quel amour… ce magnifique Du Mont Teleset!”
Soon you will echo Hiledgarde’s rapturous sentiments. You’ll love seeing and hearing this vivacious chanteuse – especially on a DuMont Teleset.
For its superlative performance is more than mere chance. DuMont’s 14-year pioneering leadership in radio-electronics guarantees uncompromising craftsmanship … assures the things important to you. DuMont will give you incomparably clear pictures, exquisite FM tone, inspired cabinet artistry, technical dependability. These are tested attributes of DuMont-engineered Television-FM receivers. Soon they will be yours … soon you will realize the full richness of television’s tremendous promise if you remember this:
For the best in television, look and listen to a DuMont Teleset!
ALLEN B. DuMONT LABORATORIES, INC.
GENERAL OFFICES AND PLANT
2 MAIN AVENUE, PASSAIC, N.J.
TELEVISION STUDIOS AND STATION WABC
515 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK 22, NEW YORK