"jk" wrote in message
...

I doubt it.
I think the reason is multiple markets with different outlets

Perhaps part of the reason, but the main reason was to act as an interlock to
keep customer's fingers out of the high voltage. (Liability lawsuits are not a
new idea) The cords were usually riveted to the back cover so that you had to
unplug the cord from the back of the set before you could gain entrance to the
circuitry. That is why a loose cord (not riveted to a back cover) was called a
"cheater" cord; because using one made make it possible to operate the set
without the back cover in place.

Vaughn