Today's random fact

[Fritzo]

Zenith Radio developed the first TV Remote Control in 1950- it was called the "Lazy Bones." It was essentially a flashlight that you would aim at 4 photo cells in each corner of the TV. It could turn the power on/off, change the channel, and adjust volume. The original designs didn't work very well however---if there was any sunlight in the room it would change channels on you at random.



I understand Zenith originally had to build a second prototype because they lost the first one in the couch cushions.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Another one of the early designs used metal rods that the buttons would strike thus ringing a tone. The reason it was used was that one of the design requirements was not to have to use any batteries. However, when jets would fly overhead the TVs would go haywire.

 

[nakedfrog]

I remember our first TV's remote, it had four buttons. Channel up/down, volume up/down. You turned the power off by turning the volume all the way down, or on by turning it up.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Another one of the early designs used metal rods that the buttons would strike thus ringing a tone. The reason it was used was that one of the design requirements was not to have to use any batteries. However, when jets would fly overhead the TVs would go haywire.

Reading on they did use hypersonic remotes after they found light didn't work. Eventually they discovered IR emmiters could be made cheaply and didn't get interference from white light. Today it seems we're moving to radio.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Another one of the early designs used metal rods that the buttons would strike thus ringing a tone. The reason it was used was that one of the design requirements was not to have to use any batteries. However, when jets would fly overhead the TVs would go haywire.

Had one of these (Zenith) that competed with the vacuum cleaner for changing channels. Luckily didn't use the vacuum a lot so it was rarely a problem...

I think one of the most useful buttons on current ones is the sleep button - in the past, have awakened in the middle of the night with very strange dreams caused by infomercials.

Never heard where the potato in 'couch potato' came from.

 

[MrPickins]

The "Lazy Bones" was connected by a wire.
The next model, the "Flashmatic" was the one with the four photo cells in the corners.

http://www.zenith.com/sub_about/about_remote.html