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  1. Indian-head test pattern - Wikipedia

    Indian Head pattern with its elements labeled, describing the use of each element in aligning a black and white analog TV receiver. The Indian-head test pattern was created by RCA at its …

  2. Vintage TV Test Patterns - kottke.org

    Jun 10, 2019 · It’s hard to believe now, but television didn’t used to be a 24/7/365 affair. TV stations stopped broadcasting late at night and when they were off the air, they would …

  3. Remember When Television Ended at Midnight? - Old Timey Herald

    The is the famous RCA "Indian Head" television test pattern that many tv stations used in the 1950's and 1960's. Back then (and even through the early 1990s), most television channels …

  4. The Best TV Test Cards and Patterns of the 20th Century

    This concludes our look at some of the best tv test cards and patterns from the 20th century. There are many great variations we did not include here but feel free to do your own research …

  5. Test card - Wikipedia

    A test card, also known as a test pattern or start-up/closedown test, is a television test signal, typically broadcast at times when the transmitter is active but no program is being broadcast …

  6. SMPTE color bars - Wikipedia

    SMPTE color bars are a television test pattern used where the NTSC video standard is utilized, including countries in North America. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers …

  7. What Were TV Test Cards For? — History Facts

    Jul 15, 2025 · These static images, known as test cards or test patterns, weren’t just placeholders. They were created as calibration tools for engineers — and unintentionally …

  8. The test pattern from TV in the past - wytv.com

    Jul 29, 2025 · Are you old enough to remember growing up with no more than three or four TV stations to watch…and something called a test pattern when the stations were not …

  9. The Lost History of the Indian Head Test Pattern

    The story of the Indian Head pattern is a tale of technological progress and cultural significance. From its creation by the elusive artist Brooks in 1938 to its role as a symbol of a bygone …

  10. RCA Indian Head Test Pattern - Audiovisual Identity Database

    Jun 9, 2025 · The Indian Head Test Pattern is a test card introduced in 1939 by RCA. It was originally made for RCA's TK-1 monoscope and was later used in television stations in the …