Written by James Fohl

Everyday after a long session of either work or school, millions upon millions of Americans
grab their television remote and begin a rather long session of sitting in front of the glowing
tube absorbing the televised content.

But have you ever wondered just when that wonderful invention of the television remote was invented?
After all, if it was never invented could you imagine how people would still utilize the television
for hours on end?

Whether you like it or not, the television remote has forever changed the way millions of Americans
watch television everyday. What you also may or not know is that the television remote has a some what
long and very interesting history.

Televisions Have Always Had A Remote Companion In One Form Or Another

The first concept of a remote for changing channels and such on a television came soon after the initial
introduction of the very first televisions. In 1950, the electronics company Zenith released the first
television remote called the "Lazy Bone". The "Lazy Bone" could power the television on and off, and it could
also change television channels, however there was a slight catch. The catch was that the remote was not wireless,
and instead the Lazy Bone remote was connected to the television set through a very bulky cable.

Five years later, Zenith came up with another television remote concept. This time, the remote was wireless
and instead of being connected to the television with a bulky cable, it utilized photocells to communicate with
the television set. The only problem with this whole situation was that simple flashes of sunlight, produced
from a very sunny day could ultimately change television channels.

Zenith Created Many Different Models Of Television Remotes That Ultimately Failed, Until 1956 When They Created
Remotes That Used Ultrasonic Technology

A year later, Zenith bounced back yet again with another interesting concept. This time they produced a remote
that did not used batteries, but still could power the TV on and off, as well as change the channel. This
new remote utilized ultrasonic technology, in which the television set was equipped with a very expensive speaker
that picked up some vibrations created from the remote. This technology, although primitive by today's standards
would eventually be utilized in most televisions up until the early 1980's.

Then in the early 1980's, a breakthrough technology would be utilized in television remotes that continue to
be used today. That technology is infrared, which used invisible light to communicate with television sets.
Although infrared can not be seen by the human eye, it does exist, and is the perfect solution for the perfect
television remote.

As you can see, the television remote has a pretty interesting history, as it some how managed to change
three times in a period of seven years, only to later change two times in a period of forty years. Infrared
technology is absolutely wonderful for the television remote industry, but I am sure that something better
will eventually come along sooner or later that results in infrared being outdated and useless.