DuMont Laboratories
Encyclopedia
DuMont Laboratories was an American television equipment manufacturer. The company was founded in 1931, by inventor Allen B. DuMont
. Among the company's developments were long-lasting cathode ray tubes that would be used for television. Another product out of the lab was a DuMont invention, the magic eye tube
.
In 1938, the company began manufacturing televisions. To sell televisions, DuMont began the DuMont Television Network
in 1946, one of the earliest television networks. Later on, they manufactured cameras and transmitters for television. DuMont equipment was known for its high quality.
In 1956, DuMont shuttered the network and sold what remained of his television operations to John Kluge, who renamed the network Metromedia
. DuMont's partner, Thomas T. Goldsmith, remained on Metromedia's board of directors from this time all the way until Kluge sold the stations to the Fox Television Stations Group
.
DuMont sold his manufacturing operations in 1960, with the television manufacturing division sold to Emerson Radio
, and the research laboratory sold to Fairchild Camera
and later developed semiconductor
microchip
s. Robert Noyce
, founder of Intel, originally worked for DuMont as an engineer. In the late 1950s, the Dumont laboratory, now owned by Fairchild, developed the original Sony
Trinitron
color picture tube, under a subcontract.
DuMont televisions outside the United States were assembled under licence in Montreal, Canada by Canadian Aviation Electronics
, currently a manufacturer of flight simulator and pilot training equipment.
Allen B. DuMont
Allen Balcom DuMont also spelled Du Mont, was an American scientist and inventor best known for improvements to the cathode ray tube in 1931 for use in television receivers. Seven years later he manufactured and sold the first commercially practical television set to the public...
. Among the company's developments were long-lasting cathode ray tubes that would be used for television. Another product out of the lab was a DuMont invention, the magic eye tube
Magic eye tube
A magic eye tube gives a visual indication for audio output, radio-frequency signal strength, or other functions. It is also called a cat's eye, or tuning eye tube. These tubes were used by radio receivers from around 1936 onwards, replacing the earlier "Tuneon" neon lamp type tuning indicators,...
.
In 1938, the company began manufacturing televisions. To sell televisions, DuMont began the DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
in 1946, one of the earliest television networks. Later on, they manufactured cameras and transmitters for television. DuMont equipment was known for its high quality.
In 1956, DuMont shuttered the network and sold what remained of his television operations to John Kluge, who renamed the network Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
. DuMont's partner, Thomas T. Goldsmith, remained on Metromedia's board of directors from this time all the way until Kluge sold the stations to the Fox Television Stations Group
Fox Television Stations Group
Fox Television Stations, Inc. is a group of television stations located within the United States which are owned-and-operated by the Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of the Fox Entertainment Group, part of News Corporation...
.
DuMont sold his manufacturing operations in 1960, with the television manufacturing division sold to Emerson Radio
Emerson Radio
Emerson Radio Corporation was founded in 1948. It is one of the United States’ largest volume consumer electronics distributors and has a recognized trademark in continuous use since 1912...
, and the research laboratory sold to Fairchild Camera
Fairchild Camera and Instrument
Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation was a company founded by Sherman Fairchild. It was based on the East Coast of the United States, and provided research and development for flash photography equipment...
and later developed semiconductor
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
microchip
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
s. Robert Noyce
Robert Noyce
Robert Norton Noyce , nicknamed "the Mayor of Silicon Valley", co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957 and Intel in 1968...
, founder of Intel, originally worked for DuMont as an engineer. In the late 1950s, the Dumont laboratory, now owned by Fairchild, developed the original Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
Trinitron
Trinitron
Trinitron is Sony's brand name for its line of aperture grille based CRTs used in television sets and computer display monitors. One of the first truly new television systems to enter the market since the 1950s, the Trinitron was announced in 1966 to wide acclaim for its bright images, about 25%...
color picture tube, under a subcontract.
DuMont televisions outside the United States were assembled under licence in Montreal, Canada by Canadian Aviation Electronics
CAE (company)
CAE Inc. is a leading provider of simulation technologies, modelling technologies and integrated training services to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and defense customers worldwide. The company has annual revenues in excess of CAD $1.6 billion, with manufacturing operations and training...
, currently a manufacturer of flight simulator and pilot training equipment.
External links
- DuMont television receiver photo at Greater Boston, June 2005 gallery of broadcasting equipment. Also available is Description and index of entire gallery.