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==History== [[File:Radio d'epoca, primi apparecchi magnavox, anni dieci 02.JPG|thumb|Vintage Magnavox logo on a vintage amplifier]] Jensen and Pridham founded the Commercial Wireless and Development Company in Napa, CA in 1911, moving to San Francisco, and then Oakland in 1916. In July 1917, a merger with The Sonora Phonograph Distributor Company was finalized and the Magnavox Company was born. Frank Morgan Steers was chosen as the company's first President. Jensen moved on to found the [[Jensen Loudspeakers|Jensen Radio Manufacturing Company]] in Chicago, in the late 1920s. Pridham stayed on with Magnavox, which moved manufacturing to [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]] by the 1930s. The term "Commercial Wireless" had a different meaning in the early days of radio and telephone. Magnavox manufactured radios, TVs, and [[phonograph]]s. In the 1960s, Magnavox manufactured the first [[plasma display]]s for the military and for computer applications. [[File:Magnavox-Odyssey-Console-Set-FL.jpg|thumb|[[Magnavox Odyssey]]]] In 1972 Magnavox introduced the [[Magnavox Odyssey|Odyssey]], the first [[video game console]].<ref name="willaert20100110">{{Cite web |url=https://gamehistory.org/first-video-game-commercial/ |title=In Search of the First Video Game Commercial |last=Willaert |first=Kate |date=2018-01-10 |publisher=Video Game History Foundation |access-date=2018-01-12}}</ref> In 1974, North American Philips acquired a majority stake in the Magnavox Company, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary the following year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/25/archives/magnavox-wholly-owned-by-north-american-philips.html |title=Magnavox Wholly Owned by North American Philips |work=The New York Times |date=25 July 1975 |access-date=2023-06-19}}</ref> Philips acquired the similar-sounding company [[Philco]] in 1981, and Philips was able to freely use the Philips name, alternating with the Magnavox name for some electronics, with the personal care business continuing to use the Norelco name. In the late 1970s, Philips developed [[LaserDisc]] technology, producing an optically read, 12 inch disc that would contain recorded video material. In the early 1980s, Philips worked with Sony to create a standard for optical audio discs (CDs), using the technology developed for the LaserDisc. [[File:Magnavox Laserdisc player.jpg|thumb|Magnavox [[LaserDisc player]]]] Teamed with [[Sony]], Philips used the Magnavox brand name to introduce the [[CD-DA]] standard and equipment for consumer audio with the Magnavox player sold in department stores while the [[Sony CDP-101]] went to high-end audio stores. During the late 1970s the company released the [[Magnavox Odyssey²|Odyssey²]], in Europe also known as [[Philips Videopac|Philips Videopac G7000]]. In the early 1980s, Philips merged [[Osram Sylvania|Sylvania]], Philco and Magnavox into one division headquartered in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], with a manufacturing plant in [[Greeneville, Tennessee]]. The Sylvania plant in [[Batavia, New York]], was closed and all operations moved to Greeneville. Philips also abandoned the Sylvania trademark which is owned by [[Osram]]. In the late 1980s, Magnavox sold the Magnavox/Philips [[VideoWriter]] with some success. Released in 1985, the VideoWriter was a standalone fixed-application [[word processing]] machine ([[electronic typewriter]]). [[Philips Computers]], primarily based in Canada, sold its products in North America under the Magnavox brand with minor rebadging in logo and color scheme of computers, monitors, peripherals and manuals. Philips exited the proprietary personal computer business in 1992. Philips sold the Greenville plant in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Magnavox Timeline| work = Greeneville Publishing Company| date = 17 December 2016| access-date = 2018-10-16| url = https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/magnavox-timeline/article_715c6a79-7884-5a6d-b92e-6ca94bfec89f.html}}</ref> In the 1990s, several Magnavox branded [[CD-i]] players were marketed by Philips. Starting in the early 1990s, some Philips electronics were marketed under the [[brand name]] "Philips Magnavox", in an attempt to increase brand awareness of the Philips name in the United States. While it did work to a degree, it also caused confusion to the consumer as to the difference between "Philips Magnavox" products and "Philips" products, resulting in Philips marketing the two brands separately again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/philips-electronics-north-america-corp-history/|title=History of Philips Electronics North America Corp.|publisher=FundingUniverse|access-date=2016-09-28}}</ref> [[File:Phillips_Magnavox_VCR.jpg|thumb|right|A typical Philips Magnavox VCR]]
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