Color Television Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics, Television technology |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Defunct | 1951 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Key people | Arthur S. Matthews (President), George E. Sleeper, Jr. (Vice President and Chief Engineer) |
| Products | Color television systems and technology |
Color Television Inc. was a U.S.-based research and development company established in 1947 with the objective of creating a color television system for approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the national broadcasting standard. Their technology was among three contenders assessed during FCC hearings held between September 1949 and May 1950.
Background
In contrast to the field-sequential color system developed by CBS, which ultimately prevailed, CTI's approach utilized a line sequential method that was entirely electronic, compatible with existing monochrome television sets, and incorporated a single scanning tube within both the camera and receiver units. The camera featured three lenses fitted with red, green, and blue filters, producing adjacent images on one tube. The receiver then projected these images onto distinct phosphorescent regions, which were subsequently combined into a unified color picture through superimposed lenses onto a rear projection screen.
History
On February 20, 1950, CTI presented its system to the FCC in Washington, D.C., following an investment of $600,000 in its development. When evaluated alongside the CBS and RCA systems, CTI’s technology was ranked third due to its comparatively lower color saturation and challenges with image registration, although some engineers recognized its promise.
Later, on August 29, CTI submitted a petition to the FCC introducing an innovative "uniplex" color system described as entirely new. Despite this, the FCC issued reports on September 1 and finalized its decision on October 11 favoring CBS’s system, emphasizing the necessity of reaching a conclusion despite ongoing advancements. The commission indicated openness to future technological enhancements.
In August 1951, CTI obtained a $4 million contract to manufacture airborne radar and electronic equipment, intending to allocate funds toward further refinement of its color television technology. However, production was discontinued after the Defense Production Administration halted color TV manufacturing in October 1951 to preserve materials during the Korean War.
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, CTI was led by President Arthur S. Matthews and Vice President and Chief Engineer George E. Sleeper, Jr.
External links
- Scanning System for Color Television, patent filed in 1947 by George E. Sleeper, Jr. on behalf of CTI.
- Multicolor Television, patent application submitted in 1949 by George E. Sleeper, Jr. representing CTI.
- Line Sequential Color Television Apparatus, patent filed in 1950 by George E. Sleeper, Jr. for CTI.
- Early Television Foundation: CTI Color System (1948).
- 1940s in television
- Defunct electronics companies of the United States
- History of television in the United States
- Defunct technology companies based in California
- Technology companies established in 1947
- 1947 establishments in the United States
- Technology companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- 1951 disestablishments in the United States
- Technology companies disestablished in 1951