I am sorry to say that I missed this when the news was first announced but
Eugene Polley, the inventor of the television remote control, died last week at the age of 96. His former employer, Zenith Electronics said Polley died of natural causes last Sunday.
His 1955 invention, the Flash-Matic, pointed a beam of light at photo cells on each corner of the TV, turning it off and on and changing the channels. However, because the Flash-Matic used light to operate the television, it was temperamental and other lights could interfere with its operation. It was followed by sonic-controlled remotes and then infrared and radio frequency models.
Before Polley's invention, Zenith's first remote was connected to the television by a wire cord.
Polley was rightly proud of his invention and was honoured in 1997 with an Emmy for hiscontribution to television. Like millions the world over his invenstion freed us lazy git from the hell that was getting up and walking the few paces to television. For that he will be sorely missed.
RIP Eugene!
Your Telly or your life!
Eugene Polley, the inventor of the television remote control, died last week at the age of 96. His former employer, Zenith Electronics said Polley died of natural causes last Sunday.
His 1955 invention, the Flash-Matic, pointed a beam of light at photo cells on each corner of the TV, turning it off and on and changing the channels. However, because the Flash-Matic used light to operate the television, it was temperamental and other lights could interfere with its operation. It was followed by sonic-controlled remotes and then infrared and radio frequency models.
Before Polley's invention, Zenith's first remote was connected to the television by a wire cord.
Polley was rightly proud of his invention and was honoured in 1997 with an Emmy for hiscontribution to television. Like millions the world over his invenstion freed us lazy git from the hell that was getting up and walking the few paces to television. For that he will be sorely missed.
RIP Eugene!
5 comments:
Oh hell!!! I hate trying to keep all the damned remotes organized.
Half the time they seem to go a-wandering. God help me if I ever get a car with a remote.
Ah so the time saved getting up to change channels is lost by the effort expended looking for the damned things!
Indeed!!!!!!
Good man who did a lot for other fellow men. Although today I would prefer a tethered remote back. Go find all the current ones... ehehe.
Ah mon ami I know what you mean!
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