{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O321483"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O321483/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT9624/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT9624/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AT9624","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O321483","accessionNumber":"W.50-1978","objectType":"Audio system","titles":[{"title":"BeoMaster 1900","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The Beomaster 1900 was one of Danish consumer electronics company, Bang and Olufsen's, most successful products in terms of sales. When it was launched, its radical minimalist appearance marked a departure in receiver design, and its descendants remained part of the Beomaster range for over 20 years.\n\nThe touch sensitive controls were highly innovative and used a technique which would become known as “sensi-touch”. The functions were divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' groups, with the primary functions arranged on the front panel and  secondary functions, such as, tuning the 5 FM stations, treble, bass and balance control, AFC/FM stereo selection etc were concealed under an aluminium lift up lid. The position of the sliding controls for treble, bass and balance were visible without opening the lid and looked like 'electronic' data but were made from clear plastic film carefully printed with a black pattern, and a red lamp behind.\n\nThe design continued to be produced with only minor alterations for many years, only changing substantially when the Beomaster 2000 was launched.","physicalDescription":"A metal receiver with a streamlined, minimal silhouette and touch-sensitive controls for operating the most frequently used switches. The secondary features and adjustments are protected by a hinged lid and an illuminated readout panel provides the receiver's operational status.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Jacob Jensen","id":"AUTH332602"},"association":{"text":"designers","id":"AAT25190"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Bang & Olufsen","id":"A28381"},"association":{"text":"manufacturers","id":"AAT25230"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"perspex","id":"AAT14435"}],"techniques":[{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Metal alloy and perspex","categories":[{"text":"Electrical appliances","id":"THES49024"},{"text":"Audio equipment","id":"THES49027"},{"text":"Product design","id":"THES49025"},{"text":"Plastic","id":"THES49026"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2006AT9624"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES342778"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342280"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342462"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342462"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Tuner","id":""}],[{"text":"Amplifier","id":"AAT24543"}],[{"text":"Record Player","id":""}],[{"text":"Loudspeaker","id":""}],[{"text":"Loudspeaker","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Denmark","id":"x28806"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1978","earliest":"1978-01-01","latest":"1978-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Bang & Olufsen","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Depth","value":"24.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50-1978","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50-1978","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"62.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50-1978","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"38","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50A-1978","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"47.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50A-1978","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"W.50A-1978","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This object was acquired specifically for the 1978 exhibition 'Objects: the V&A Collects, 1974-1978', it was given by the manufacturer [RF 78/854]. Commenting on the V&A's decision to show this object its curator, Anna Somers Cocks, commented: 'We wanted Bang & Olufsen because we think it is the most exciting hi-fi system for some time. It has very clean lines and is touch sensitive... has a completely smooth silhouette and features in our modern room set in which we have put items we regard to be of exceptional design' (taken from Bang &amp; Olufsen press statement, June 1978 [ 78/679])\n\r\n","historicalContext":"The system can be operated electronically. The control panel has no buttons or knobs. When switched on, the Beogram 4002 will assess the record size, and thereby the required speed, and lowers the stylus into the lead-in groove. The amplifier and tuner is operated by touching an electronic panel. Volume is raised and lowered by resting a finger on the control panel until the desired volume is reached.","briefDescription":"BeoMaster 1900 audio system with peripherals; Jacob Jensen for Bang and Olufsen, Denmark; 1978","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"audio equipment","id":"AAT257199"},{"text":"Minimal","id":"AAT65758"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"<b>BANG &amp; OLUFSEN BEOMASTER COMBINED FM STEREO TUNER AND HI-FI AMPLIFIER MODEL 1900</b>\nDesigned by Jakob Jensen (Danish, born 1926)\nMade by Bang &amp; Olufsen, Jutland, Denmark, 1975\nMetal alloy and perspex\nGiven by Director Grue, B&amp;O, Jutland\nW.50-1978\n\nThe abstract minimalism of this B&amp;O hi-fi component is not only expressed in its monochromatic surfaces and sleek, engineered lines but in the absence of pronounced mechanical switches. A touch-sensitive electronic panel controls the entire system.","date":{"text":"ca.1992","earliest":"1987-01-01","latest":"1996-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["W.50-1978","W.50A-1978","W.50B-1978","W.50C-1978"],"accessionNumberNum":"50","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1978,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Tuner/Amplifier","Record Player","Loudspeaker [1]","Loudspeaker [2]"],"assets":["2021NB6093"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-09","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}