Amusing Old Ads: 'Play Anywhere' Transistor Television

By John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Back in 1965, a man just couldn't relax at the camp site or a woman couldn't work in the kitchen without the "Play Anywhere" All-Transistor TV.

Setting aside the obvious user stereotypes, this little device--with its 9-inch screen--was quite the luxury back in the day.

The TV cost $140 in 1965, which in 2014 dollars could buy you a couple of iPads, with YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, plus live streaming of sports and news programming ... and so much more!

According to the General Electric ad that appeared in the Chicago Tribune in the summer of that year, the VHF-UHF reception "brings in all 82 channels." Chicago did not have its first UHF channel until 1964--WCIU Ch. 26.

Plus, it had a private earphone jack, built-in antenna and was built with "polystyrene plastic"--which one would assume makes it durable.

The cost did not include a battery pack, although the TV could be plugged into the car cigarette lighter.

Similar TVs are available on auction sites like e-Bay for $20-$40.