The biggest CRT ever made: Sony's PVM-4300

I'm kinda curious if CRT technology advanced to the point where a TV like that would've been possible at a better weight and price tag? I assume that CRT technology development stopped decades ago, but could we have e.g., replaced the heavy glass with some plastic-like material to save weight without compromising the picture? And are there any heavy components in the mechanism itself (Coils, Magnets?) that would have had alternatives?

I know it's just theorycrafting, but I do wonder what kind of CRT someone could've created if it wasn't for market economy forces.

On top of the mechanical issues, CRT glass also functions as x-ray shielding, for which reason it is leaded (Pb). You can't really make that part lighter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode-ray_tube#Body

https://www.epa.gov/hw/frequent-questions-about-regulation-u...

(This isn't really an answer to the overall question—just a narrow observation of interest).

This is an interesting point. Does anyone know how much lead would be in a 21 inch monitor?