Final answer:
Early televisions were black and white boxes that rapidly evolved in the 1950s due to technological advancements such as microwave relays and the development of CRT technology. The combination of these innovations led to television becoming a popular medium for news and entertainment, with its creation being an outcome of the advancements in vacuum tube technology and contributions by scientists like Geissler and Crookes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early TVs show us a fine example of technological developments that changed how we receive news and experience entertainment. The early television sets were simple boxes that only broadcast black and white images. However, through rapid innovation in the 1950s, they rapidly became a common household item, with the advent of microwave relays greatly expanding television's reach. The invention of the television was a significant milestone that combined the attributes of radio and live pictures, altering media forever.
The first official television broadcast in the United States was in 1939 with President Franklin Roosevelt's speech. The coverage of World War II by networks like CBS using pictures and maps greatly popularized television. By the 1950s, the cost of television sets had decreased, leading to a surge in the number of television stations and advertisers. This era also saw important advancements in electronics such as the introduction of the cathode ray tube (CRT) by scientists like Heinrich Geissler and Sir William Crookes, and the development of the vacuum tube, which facilitated the commercialization of radio, radar, computers, and television technology.
Experiments with CRT technology, which used an accelerating potential to send electrons that stimulate phosphors and create the image on the screen, confirmed that x-rays could also be generated in the process. The TV's development showcased the interplay of math, science, and engineering, reflecting the innovative spirit of the 1950s.