What Would We Do Without it?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189793)
Boise, Idaho
June 25, 2022 2:00pm CST
The Zenith Radio Company introduced our first remote control in 1950. It was called "Lazy Bones" and could turn the television on and off, change channels, and determine volume. It was not wireless however and had a large cord attached to the television. People complained of tripping over it.
In 1955 the "Flash-Matic" was created by Eugene Polley, a Zenith engineer. It is operated by four photocells on each corner of the television screen. A directional flashlight was used to activate the four control functions. This turned the sound and picture on and changed channels by turning the channel tuner counterclockwise. It had problems when the sun the photocells sometimes turned the channel randomly.
An improved version went into production a year later. Another Zenith engineer, Rober Adler designed the newer "Space Command" based on ultrasonics. This design that used ultrasound waves was the design in use for the next 25 years.
Now it has become a mainstay and what would we do without it?
3 people like this
3 responses
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
4 Jul 22
It makes things easy. We have a remote control for iur smart tv. It malfunctions due to weak batteries and the sensor won't work. We find no spare remote control. So we buy a universal one but it doesn't last long.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Jul 22
They have become a mainstay. Those universal ones seem more work than they are worth.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
26 Jun 22
With all the channels we have to choose from, not having a remote would be a huge inconvenience.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Jun 22
I don't think we would know what to do with ourselves. The concept of getting up to change the channel has become a dream. Although streaming sticks require them because you can only go up down left and right.
1 person likes this
