Tube, Vacuum
One Image Orthicon (IO) television camera tube, model number GL-5820, made by General Electric. The large photocathode tube is made of clear glass and contains an assembly of precision-made parts that were used to capture images from a television camera lens and convert them to electrical pulses. The image section is located at the larger-diameter end of the tube where televised images would enter. The number, "83529," is inscribed in handwritten text on a metal fitting which is visible beneath the glass. The silver-colored middle portion houses the electron beam scanning section, and the base of the glass tube holds an electron gun and multiplier. The numbers, "5820" and "83529" are printed on the side of the scanning section. Attached to the base of the glass tube is a large plug that is made of a blue plastic material. It has 15 short metal prongs that are evenly-spaced along the outside edge of the bottom surface of the plug. White printed text on the side of the plug reads "General Electric, GL-5820, Made in U.S.A." Small raised text on the bottom surface of the plug reads "Licensed Only to Extent Indicated on Carton," and the prongs are numbered "1" through "15."
The tube is mounted on a 3/4-inch thick wood display plaque that has decorative routered edges and has been finished with dark brown stain and a semi-gloss lacquer or varnish. An engraved label on the front of the plaque reads "Image Orthicon." An adhesive embossed plastic label on the back of the plaque reads "In Service at WJBK-TV, 12-3-57 to 5-14-58."
Related Records
Report, Technical
Getting the Most Out of Your Image Orthicon
