Sentimental Sundays - Sampo 9519
- Tony Fortunato
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
The Sampo 9519 is a rare and fascinating piece of television history, introduced in 1981 by the Sampo Corporation of America, a Taiwanese-based company known for its innovative electronics. This unique tri-screen color TV features a 19-inch main color screen flanked by two smaller 5-inch black-and-white screens, each equipped with its own independent tuner and controls. Marketed as a cutting-edge consumer product, the Sampo 9519 allowed viewers to watch three different channels simultaneously or even monitor external inputs like security cameras, making it a standout in an era when picture-in-picture technology was still emerging. Its bold design and functionality reflect the early 1980s’ appetite for ambitious, over-the-top gadgets, blending practicality with a touch of extravagance.
Despite its innovative concept, the Sampo 9519 was not a commercial success, likely due to its high cost, substantial weight—reportedly around 200 pounds—and niche appeal. The television’s main color screen delivered a standard NTSC picture, while the smaller monochrome screens offered a more limited but still functional viewing experience, with one capable of accepting composite video input. This setup could have been a dream for multitaskers, such as sports enthusiasts or stockbrokers, but its bulky size and the lack of sound output from the smaller screens may have deterred widespread adoption. Today, the Sampo 9519 is celebrated as a quirky relic of retro technology, often popping up in thrift stores, online auctions like eBay, or as a showcase prize on vintage episodes of The Price Is Right, where its novelty surely turned heads.
The Sampo 9519’s construction and aesthetic are quintessentially 1980s, with a wood-grain veneer finish and a hefty CRT (cathode ray tube) design that housed its three screens. Manufactured in Taiwan, it was imported to the U.S. by Sampo Corporation of America, based in Elk Grove, Illinois, and retailed as a premium product with a power consumption of 135 watts. Enthusiasts and collectors now prize it for its rarity and oddball charm, though surviving units often show signs of wear, such as peeling veneer or missing knobs, as seen in various listings. Its appeal lies not just in its functionality but in its embodiment of an era when manufacturers weren’t afraid to experiment with bold, unconventional ideas, even if they didn’t always resonate with the masses.
Trivia : Did you know the Sampo 9519 has a surprising pop culture connection? It appeared as a prize on The Price Is Right in 1984, delighting audiences with its futuristic tri-screen setup—viewers have spotted it in reruns as recently as 2024! The TV’s name, “Sampo,” might also hint at a nod to Finnish mythology, where the Sampo is a magical artifact, though the company itself was Taiwanese. Despite its three screens, only the main one had sound, leaving the smaller screens silent, and its remote—when included—often no longer works in surviving units, adding to its quirky legacy. At one point, a unit listed on eBay for $2,800 garnered over 200 watchers, proving its cult status among retro tech aficionados.
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