Kinescope

A kinescope is an early device used to record television broadcasts before modern video tape recorders. It works by capturing the television image and converting it into an electrical signal, which is then displayed on a special CRT (cathode-ray tube) screen to create a film-like copy. Essentially, it recorded live TV shows directly onto video film, allowing programs to be preserved or played back later. Kinescopes were common in the 1940s-1950s for recording broadcasts or creating copies, serving as a bridge between live television and physical film recordings.