65 years ago, the young women shown here were enjoying the Hoffman Model 947 television poolside at the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The accompanying article in the July 1950 issue of Radio News notes that until recently, such activity would have been impossible, since full enjoyment of the program necessitated darkness or semi-darkness, not to mention what to do with the unwieldy line going to the antenna.

But that was all in the past, since black-faced picture tubes and improved circuit designs had resulted in greater brightness and better receiver sensitivity. A prominent motion picture star had been discussing the problem with the president of the set’s manufacturer, and had been enjoying programs poolside for quite some time. The idea soon spread, not only to the Hollywood elite, but to the area hotels.

At the Beverly-Wilshire, every warm day would find a group of swimming and sunbathing guests clustered around the set that had been wheeled out for their viewing pleasure.

And if the set ever needed servicing, the same issue advertised, for only $6.95, a high voltage probe rated at 30,000 volts, just the thing the serviceman would need if some unfortunate guest splashed a little too much water on it.

Click Here For Today’s Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Cartoon