Today is the 100th birthday of the inventor of television, Philo T. Farnsworth. Farnsworth got the idea for television while plowing his family farm in Idaho when he was 14 years old. When I was 14 years old, I was trying to figure out what would work better, Clearasil or Stridex.
The history of television is a really interesting story. After Farnsworth demonstrated the wonders of TV in his San Francisco lab when he was 21, RCA head David Sarnoff was thinking of ways to stop him and take credit. Many people today still think RCA (and Vladimir Zworykin) invented television, but it was Farnsworth. Aaron Sorkin wrote a script for a Farnsworth movie, but decided to make it into a stage play instead. The Farnsworth Invention will debut in California next year.
Happy Birthday, Philo. And thanks for giving me a job!
Six shows that I am watching pretty regularly this season
Five other TV shows where Sarah Palin should appear
Brought To You By ... - VIDEOS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-19-2006 @ 11:52PM
OQ said...
Brilliant man, I'm glad his work is being acknowledged in greater numbers, even if it is after his death. It took great determination to butt heads with RCA and the radio empire during his time, and he deserves at least as much praise as we give to our greatest inventors for the paradigm shift he caused in our modern world.
Happy Birthday!
Reply
8-20-2006 @ 1:27AM
beanspants1 said...
what no mention of the futurama tie with the guy's name?
philip fry and professor farnsworth?
or am i imagining connections that aren't there?
Reply
8-20-2006 @ 1:37AM
Greg said...
My favorite thing is the "Sports Night" episode where Sam (Filliam H. Muffman) gives the history of Philo as he wanders about the soundstage to the studio execs. A total Aaron Sorkin scene played perfectly by Macy/Muffman.
Reply
8-20-2006 @ 7:59AM
Bebop said...
I wonder if he knew his invention will eventually broadcast to millions a woman defecating on the floor(from the Flavor of Love season premiere)
Reply
8-20-2006 @ 8:31AM
James said...
If you ever happen to see a show on BBC World - Inventions that changed the world - Jeremy Clarkson does a superb job explaining the birth of television, both from John Logie Baird and Philo T. Farnsworth's perspective.
I think the UK credit Scot inventor Baird, whilst the US credit Philo T. Farnsworth. Depends if you follow the eletronic or electromechanical one I guess. ;-)
Reply
8-20-2006 @ 4:08PM
rainybluesky said...
on the futurama dvd commentary the writers and matt groening talk about how philip j. fry is named after phil hartman, who they were hoping would be part of the cast (zapp brannigan, for one) before he was tragically killed. but maybe prof. farnsworth does have a connection with this guy?
Reply