I well remember out first TV. Black and white Motorola in a Bakelite cabinet, with same shaped screen. It would probably be billed as a portable, back then.I can still remember when color TVs were just a dream. We had a, I think, 1954 model Packard Bell 18 or 19" black & white set. Screen was more round than it was rectagonal.
I have known folks that took the TV guts out and installed shelves.When my grandparents big furniture sized tv finally couldn’t be repaired any more they closed the cabinet doors over the screen, and plopped a new TV right on top.
I have seen more than a few converted to aquariums.Fourteen-years as a television repairman, and, yes, I removed the electronics from many a console and delivered the empty furniture back to the customer.
What kind of fish did you have in yours?I have seen more than a few converted to aquariums.