Fairchild and the Woodgrain

[FND]

Looks like Fairchild must of really liked the look of the woodgrain they used

on there game systems, apparently it was not the first time they used it

 

Here is a picture of the 1975 Digital Watch with box notice they were using

it there as well

 

http://fndcollectables.com/AUCTION_PAGE/SHIPPING/VIDEO_GAMES/INTELLIVISION/MISC6/watch1975/fairchildsilver4.jpg

 

I wonder who started using the Woodgrain finish for there electronic products first ?

Maybe the 8-Track systems or Calculators manufacturers ? Were the small hand held caculators

even available before 1975 ?

Edited November 11, 2010 by FND

[Odysseus]

I know Magnavox used it on the odyssey first for video game systems.but maybe it was used before than

[FND]

I know Magnavox used it on the odyssey first for video game systems.but maybe it was used before than

 

 

Oh Yeh I forgot about that, was it only on the controllers or was it on the game system as well ?

Have not taken mine out in years and cant remember

[tz101]

Woodgrain went with everything in a family room in the 60's and 70's. Take a look at all the console TV sets of that era, along with and stereo consoles. I am talking about the massive am/fm/phono credenza-style units. All were woodgrain finish. 8-track manufacturers followed suit in the early to mid 70's.

 

My guess is that Fairchild, Magnavox, Atari, and Mattel all just followed the accepted style of that time in the design of their game consoles.

[Odysseus]

Agreed. Hell people even had wood paneling on their cars

 

Though many systems didnt use woodgrain. All the odyssey pong systems, the atari pong systems, the RCA studio, etc. But coleco, Mattel, and Atari definately used it in the later 70s. Who doesnt love a little wood on there gaming system?

 

As for the odyssey there is a strip around the console and the top inserts in the controllers are wood grain.

Edited November 12, 2010 by njb12287

[Odysseus]

Sorry for the double post

Edited November 12, 2010 by njb12287

[psquare75]

I figured it started with the trend of woodgrain on car interiors and exteriors of station wagons in the mid 60s... Which can trace homage to the Woody wagons of the 30s and 40s.