TV Remotes

Sep 3, 2025

Delve into the fascinating history of TV remotes and their evolution from early inventions to essential entertainment tools. Discover the competitive origins of the remote control and how inventors like Eugene Polley shaped the viewing experience. Uncover the struggles of early technology, highlighting the quirks and frustrations that accompanied them. Learn how innovations, such as infrared technology, revolutionized remote design and transformed our media consumption habits, making it a pivotal chapter in modern television culture.

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ANECDOTE

Polley's Humble Rise And Flashmatic

Eugene Polley rose from parts clerk to Zenith engineer without finishing college during the Depression.
He invented the Flashmatic as a wireless solution after Zenith's tethered Lazy Bones remote.

INSIGHT

Business Motives Drove Remote Design

Zenith's founder wanted a way to skip commercials partly to push a pay-per-view vision.
That corporate motive shaped early remote development and marketing priorities.

ANECDOTE

Flashmatic: The Light‑Gun Remote

Polley's Flashmatic used a light beam aimed at sensors in TV corners and included a mute function.
Zenith sold about 30,000 Flashmatic-equipped sets and gave Polley a $1,000 bonus.

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The initial time period where a TV remote control was developed was pretty short. And it shows how two different people perceive their work, and how that work is perceived differently over time by their employer.

Research:

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