What would the folks in the pictures think of JW TV, assuming they didn't live long enough to see it for themselves?
Actually, neverendingjourney, I think they would have embraced the TV channel just as enthusiastically as they embraced the WTS' use of technology then.
At the very same assemblies that many of the above photographs were taken, the WTS was promoting their phonograph campaign.
And they trained the early Caleb and Sophie prototypes back then in the use of their 'ipads', too:
Not much has changed. The technology has, but the JWs themselves haven't. The Watchtower has just resurrected older proven marketing strategies.
Just replace the current ipad with the phonograph in the following quote and you will see the similarities. Back in the day it was a phonograph. Today it is the ipad.
The release of a new model of phonographs is described in the 1941 Assembly Report:
Trim and streamlined, resembling a handsome piece of luggage, the new, pebbled gray phonograph is an improved instrument for the use of His witnesses to magnify Jehovah's name and to proclaim His King and His Theocratic Kingdom. Although specially designed for doorstep setups, the vertical-type machine is equally efficient for back-calls and model studies, as proved by hundreds of conventioners who were able to secure this equipment in St. Louis.Equipped with a lock and key, also a complete set of instructions for its operation, each one of the new lightweight models was borne triumphantly away by a witness who counted himself fortunate in acquiring the instrument and eager to put it into Theocratic use. About 300 of the machines had been taken to The Arena, and they were disposed of with a rapidity that was suggestive of the proverbial hot cakes.It was difficult to turn them out fast enough, as each had to be assembled by experts from Society headquarters, then tested, all of which required time. They were apportioned over a period of three days and meanwhile demonstrations were carried on with a special cutaway model showing the working mechanism within. The Lord's people, after all are at heart only children; hence it was with childish interest they watched, fascinated while the demonstrator model was put through its paces, and when the sound of Judge Rutherford's voice issued therefrom as the machine was held in one's hand in an upright position, there were no bounds to their enthusiasm. In their mind's eye they could picture themselves making doorstep setups with such a handy machine.Each machine is also equipped with a package of chromium needles of the required length that must be used each needle being recommended for 25 playings. Full instructions for operating the machine also include an explanation of how to work the volume control. the shutter may be left almost closed for use in apartment houses, while outdoors it may be opened to give full volume.One advantage which entranced the friends was the book compartment, the upper part of which may be used to hold two books and a number of booklets while below may be carried copies of Watchtower, Consolation, Kingdom News, and additional booklets. Or, in case of getting ready to hold a model study, sufficient bound books, Bible etc., for references may be safely stowed away in the double compartment along with Model Study booklet eliminating the necessity of carrying another witnessing case. Two records - four sides - the maximum number usually desired for a model study of one hour's length may be carried on the turntable when the machine is closed.Those who have read the instructions given with each machine value highly the detailed outline of how to arrange and carry out the doorstep setup even to the statement the witness makes in introducing the playing of the record; also advice on adjusting and care of the phonograph.The new phonograph weighs but 8 3/4 pounds empty. One may imagine its intricate and devious workings when it is remembered that each machine contains 215 parts. The "insides" of a typical machine were displayed on a board at the phonograph counter, at St. Louis, the same being a revelation even to the mechanically-minded. Moulds, dies and tools for construction of the new model were made under the direction of the Society. Production will be continued as rapidly as possible, so that more machines may be put into the possession of witnesses as rapidly as possible.Surely the Lord has again shown His goodness to His people by placing such an efficient instrument in their hands and they will show their gratitude by wielding it as effectively and accurately as Ehud used his dagger on fat old Eglon.
I wonder how many ipads they can boast about now?
Recorded Bible discourses had a prominent role in the witnessing work during the 1930s and early 1940s The phonographs used by Kingdom publishers themselves underwent change with the passing of time. About 1934, when this work first started, there was a strong compact model with a spring-wound motor and carrying space for several discs. With 6 discs, it weighed twenty-one pounds. When this work first started the phonograph was so heavy that the brothers kept it in their automobile or left it at a convenient place until they found people who were willing to listen to a recorded Bible discourse.
A few years later, at an assembly in Columbus. Ohio, on September 15-20. 1937, the work using the portable phonograph on the doorstep was introduced. Formerly the Witnesses had been carrying the phonograph in the service but had only played it when invited inside. Now it was played on every doorstep. The procedure was simple: After stating that he had an important Bible message. the publisher would put the needle on the record and let it do the talking.
As of 1940. more than 40,000 phonographs were being used.