Thought of the Day: Television

Why is it called a TV “set” when you only get one?

The term “TV set” has historical roots that date back to the early days of television technology. In the early to mid-20th century, television sets were complex devices consisting of multiple components housed in a single unit. The term “set” was used to describe this comprehensive assembly of various elements required for television reception and display.

Here are a few reasons why it came to be called a “TV set”:

1. Multiple Components: In the early years of television, a television set included several components such as the screen, tuner, audio components, and often a cathode ray tube (CRT). All of these elements were integrated into a single piece of furniture or housing, creating a complete “set” of components.
2. Comprehensive Unit: The term “set” was used to convey that the device was a comprehensive unit that provided a complete television viewing experience. Unlike earlier radio receivers, which might consist of separate components like a tuner and speaker, the television set combined all the necessary components into one enclosure.
3. Technical Language: The usage of the term “set” might have been influenced by technical and engineering jargon of the time. In technical contexts, a “set” often referred to a collection of related or interdependent items.

Over time, as technology evolved, television sets became more streamlined and integrated, and many of the separate components became internalized within the device. However, the term “TV set” persisted as a colloquial way to refer to a television, even when the device no longer involved a collection of external components.

So, while you may only have one physical television screen, the term “TV set” reflects the historical context when television technology was more modular and required multiple components to function.

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