JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.)

Manufactured in an array of bright primary colors and unusual forms, these playful pieces were made to appeal to the burgeoning youth market of the 1970s. The rounded shape of the Videosphere television—reminiscent of an astronaut’s helmet—was inspired by widespread fascination with space travel, which peaked with the first moon landing in 1969. The Videosphere television was sold with an optional alarm-clock base, making it ideal for use in a child’s bedroom. Portability was another key feature. Carried by the chain at the top, it could be powered by a battery pack or plugged into the cigarette lighter of a car.