I think I have finally found a term for a device I remember on my local cable system back when I was a kid in the 1970s. It appears that it was called a "Climatecaster," whether that term was trademarked or not. Take a look at this shot on Flickr and tell us if you think my hunch is right:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42444189@N04/5214856859/sizes/l/in/set-72157622230088327/.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42444189@N04/5214856859/sizes/l/in/set-72157622230088327/.