If you’ve ever gathered around the television with family and friends, you’ll know that television has always been about much more than a screen. It’s about shared memories, iconic moments, and the stories that brought us together. This Weekend Tip: a walk through 75 years of Television.
One of my favorite weekend discoveries this summer is a special installation at the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision in Hilversum. Featuring 75 working television sets—one for each year of Dutch television—it takes visitors on a journey through 75 years of broadcasting history.
As you walk past the screens, you travel through the decades, revisiting moments that shaped a nation. From the 1953 North Sea flood coverage and the moon landing in 1969 to the rise of reality television and memorable royal events, the installation captures the moments millions of viewers experienced together.
What I especially love is that it tells two stories at once. Not only does it showcase television history, but it also highlights the evolution of design and technology. From elegant wooden cabinets and black-and-white sets to colorful screens and sleek modern televisions, each decade has its own character.
Having spent many years working in broadcasting myself, I found the exhibition especially meaningful. Together with colleagues, I was involved in the technical networks used during several royal funerals in the Netherlands. Major national broadcasts like these are the result of the dedication and expertise of countless professionals working behind the scenes, people whose contributions often go unnoticed by viewers.
Perhaps that’s what makes this installation so special. It reminds us that television isn’t only about the images we remember. It’s also about the people who made those moments possible.
Woonlookbook Weekend Tip ✨
So, consider spending an afternoon at Sound & Vision in Hilversum. Whether you love media or just nostalgia, this exhibition offers a beautiful reminder of a time when millions of people gathered around the same screen and shared the same conversation. More about the museum you can find here or have a look at our Weekend Tips Calendar.
Enjoy 75 years of Television
Enjoyed this weekend tip? Share this post with a friend and tell me, what’s your own favorite way to spend the weekend? 🌿✨
