Obsolete Technology: “our policy on TV sets in student rooms,” 1952

File this one under “Things That Never Crossed My Mind.” I am fascinated with the idea that the major problem with televisions in the dorms was the antennas. But of course that’s right–absent adult supervision the buildings would have been bristling with them. I’m not sure how or when this problem was solved.

I’m also fascinated that the correspondent from Texas Tech addresses the Rice Dean as “Sir” but McBride addresses him in return as “Jimmy.” There’s got to be a reason.

Bonus: RIP water oak. It had been looking raggedy for some time and its demise was ensured by the big storm a couple weeks ago. In a fit of arboreal common sense, it will be replaced by a live oak, which has a significantly longer life span.

 

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8 Responses to Obsolete Technology: “our policy on TV sets in student rooms,” 1952

  1. marmer01 says:

    Seems possible to me that Allen was known to McBride as a former student or younger acquaintance from earlier.

  2. George Webb says:

    I wondered why the two Deans didn’t discuss this by phone. I know that long distance calls were expensive, but it seems like such an easy discussion to have by phone.

    • marmer01 says:

      In ’52? No. Long distance would have been reserved for a serious emergency. You wouldn’t spend several dollars of the school’s money when a 10c stamp would do.

  3. Owlcop says:

    That tree has been poorly for some time, and certainly did not fare well in Harvey. I thought it would come down then.

  4. Bill Peebles, Hanszen '70 says:

    I’m surprised that any televisions were allowed in the dorms back then. The early sets were power-hungry and the old electrical wiring probably couldn’t stand the load. Also, the things were frightfully expensive.

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