John Vassos and RCA ‘Television’
John Vassos and RCA ‘Television’
If you look where Milton’s hand is, you are also seeing the hand of one of America’s first industrial designers…John Vassos.
The ‘Television’ and ‘Color Television’ badges that adorn all the early RCA cameras and telecine equipment was designed by Mr. Vassos. The classic look and style of the TK40/41 was also a part of his contribution to form and function as he was consulted on the final look of the camera.
Vassos came to the attention of David Sarnoff a few years before the opening of the 1939 World’s Fair and was chosen to design the RCA Pavillion there, but his work extended into the design of the television sets on display there and even to the look of the first RCA Mobile Units which had a lot of Vassos art deco chrome stylings.
I think he also had a hand in the look of the TK10, TK30 and TK11/31s. The chrome lined red striping on the TK10s is very Vassos looking. He also had a hand in the look of RCA’s radio receivers and was the first to design an RCA cabinet unit that contained a radio, television and phonograph player.
This was not your Father’s IPHone, no wait! Every piece of RCA equipment I have ever had the privilege to touch and use has been gold…
Those trim Pieces just say PROFESIONAL Grade.
Those were the days !
The font of the RCA logo is called “Vassos Script” in honor of its creator.
Had the opportunity and privilege to spend a day with Uncle Milty working on a Public Service announcement. He was a very easy person to get along with as long as he felt confident that you knew what you were doing.