SPECIAL 3 DAY BIRTH OF COLOR EVENT: DAY 3, PART 8

Yesterday was the 63rd anniversary of commercial color broadcasting in America. Now, Eyes Of A Generation presents the last part of the most complete story of the development of RCA’s Compatible Color System, ever presented on the internet. BUT…we open a new chapter on a new present day survivor of these earliest days of color. -Bobby Ellerbee
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First RCA TK40 Prototype Color Camera & A Present Day Mystery

Before the juicy part, in this March 1952 issue of RCA Review, on Page 11, there is an article on the first TK40 prototype camera chain, on Page 27 an article on the TK40’s new dichroic cross image color optical system, on Page 58 a story on the first battery powered portable camera, and on Page 107, a story on how NBC Studio 3H was converted to color. This was also in today’s Red Book post, but the images are better here.

In all the 7 parts before this, we have seen the RCA color camera develop from the boxy Wardman Park Model, to Studio 3H’s more familiar looking black “coffin cameras” with their rounded viewfinder, to the Colonial Theater’s silver TK40 prototypes.

Here, on page 11, we get to see the first ever TK40 prototype, and a full description. Notice that it, like the 3H cameras is dark, maybe even black, and notice the side mounted focus knob.

NOW, THE BIG REVEAL…I think the historic camera shown in this photo is alive and well. For some months now, I have been in touch with a collector who’s TK40 has the drill holes for this side mounted focus knob. The late television historian and engineer Ed Reitan had come to the same conclusion.

At present, the camera is being carefully restored, but close examination has lead us all to believe that the surviving camera is indeed Prototype 1 of the RCA TK40.

It is believed that the camera was used at the RCA Lab for testing while the other 3 TK40 prototypes were being built in Camden. It was repainted silver before being sent to The Colonial with the other three, but it was the only one that, even after the paint job, still showed the mounting holes for the side focus knob. The other three were built with the focus control in the right pan handle. That pan handle focus was added to this camera, but the hole cut is very rough, unlike the machine cut hole for all other TK40s and 41s.  -Bobby Ellerbee

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