Progtess of Television At the Radiolympia Exhibition this year the
most noticeable thing is the marked progress of television. The sets are still dear, and reception imperfect ; but it looks as if the corner towards full success had been turned. Those who recall the story of the wireless, the gramophone, or the motor-car will realise that, once an invention of this sort has demonstrated its possibility and its attractiveness, the problem of making it cheap enough for the million is unlikely to remain long unsolved. But the solution will raise other problems. If, for instance, television is applied to public spectacles, like football or cricket matches, it may seriously lessen their gate- money. If, again, it is synchronised with the wireless, as picture and voice are synchronised in a talkie film, the effect might be to transform broadcasting. Except for broadcast variety and plays, one may doubt if the change would be gain. Listening to music or a talk on the wireless, wise people do not want to watch the players, still less the speaker. And there are still good judges who think that the development of movies into talkies killed the highest art-possibilities of the film. A higher mechanical combination will always tend to drive a lower out of the field, regardless of non-mechanical values.
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