Culture and Technology Book Club: Tube of Plenty

The Culture and Technology Book club brings readers together once a month to discuss new and classic books that raise important questions about the way technology transforms our cultural and political lives.

This month we read: chapter 3 of “Tube of Plenty: The Evolution of American Television” by Erik Barnouw (1975)

Available here: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Tube-of-Plenty-Barnouw-1990.pdf

Erik Barnouw, America’s foremost historian of radio and television, chronicles the “Plastic Years” of television starting with the 1945 post-war boom in production of television sets and ending with the birth of Lucille Ball’s baby in 1951 (an I Love Lucy telecast fictionalizing the event aired on the same day). Barnouw outlines the conditions that contributed to the rapid mass adoption of television in America.

Participants are strongly encouraged to read the entire essay in order to profit from participation. All are welcome.

When: Wednesday July 10th @ 7:00pm-8:00

Where: Toronto Reference Library, 3rd Floor Discussion Room

Registration is encouraged. Drop-ins welcome.

Questions, concerns, or want to join the Culture and Technology book club mailing list?
Email us at: [email protected].
For more information, contact the 3rd floor Business, Science & Technology desk at 416-393-7149.

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Phone: 416-393-7149
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