In 1956, television brought the moving picture into people’s homes. The uptake of television was enthusiastic and by the end of the decade it was estimated that over two-thirds of families in Sydney and Melbourne owned a television set. Over the next five years, television had spread to most other States.
1950'S STYLE TELEVISION SET,
PLAYING "CLASSIC SUSPENSE"
In the 1950's, television was just beginning to tighten its grip on the American consciousness. People tuned in to blockbuster television shows such as "I Love Lucy," "Dragnet" and "Lassie" in droves, and advertisers began to peddle their wares accordingly. Commercials for all kinds of food products hit the airwaves, from cereal and snack foods, to beer and cigarettes.
Though many think of the 1950's as the decade TV began, the very first television technology was in development as far back as the late 1800's. The so-called "electromechanical" technique made use of a rapidly spinning, perforated wheel to produce images no larger than a wallet – a similar approach is used to produce colors in some modern DLP (Digital Light Processing) sets.
Television sets were heavy things that dominated the family's living room much as they did in the late 1950's. CRT television sets in color were available but expensive to own. Programming was not as varied as it is today and people spent more time socializing than watching TV.