A Bush 30-line Mirror Drum Television Receiver, from 1933, made in London, standard pattern.

In 1933 Bush launched this 30-line projection television receiver using a mirror drum. Its large screen meant that for the first time it was possible for a group of viewers to watch the picture at the same time. Initially 100 sets were built, but as they were being prepared for sale, the announcement was made that the 30-line TV system was to close down. As a result not a single set was sold.

There are only three known surviving examples of this set and NMeM have two. Approximately 100 were manufactured by Bush to receive the Baird 30-line mechanical television broadcast put out by the BBC between 1929 and 1935. None of these 100 were actually sold. This is a rear-projection set using an ordinary filament light bulb as the light source, and a nitrobenzine-filled grid cell (similar to a Kerr cell) to modulate the light. Scanning was via a mirror drum. Bush became part of the Rank organisation in 1945. It derives its name from the location of the original factory in Shepherds Bush London This particular receiver has the projection screen missing. The other example in the collection has the screen intact. This particular example has missing valves in the electronics section (inside the bottom of the unit). The other example in the collection has a full complement of valves. Library Ref: 287; Author: Geddes, Keith & Bussey, Gordon; Title: The Setmakers; Page: