CRTs were 4:3 and tiny, they could fit basically everywhere. The diagonal was more than enough for consumers. Computer monitors started to have different ratios but they were not as widespread as today, even in a world of laptops and mobile devices.
The last time I had to buy a TV set I was more interested in the width of the appliance (screen plus bezel) than in its diagonal because I had to fit it into a set space. I went to a shop with a tape ruler.
The last time I had to buy a TV set I was more interested in the width of the appliance (screen plus bezel) than in its diagonal because I had to fit it into a set space. I went to a shop with a tape ruler.