GV Joshi
The first remote control device which worked by pointing light at light sensitive cells (photosenstive) in the corners of the screen, of a television (TV) screen activating picture, increase volume of sound and changing channels was invented by Eugene Polley, while working at the Zenith Electronics Corporation, in 1955. It was then called the Flash-Matic. Eugene Polley, born in 1915 passed away in May 2012 at the ripe old age of 97.
Now a common item, not only for TV but also for many other household gadgets like tape recorders, CD players, lights, fans and the like, the gun-like appliance was revolutionary at that time.
“ flash of magic light from across the room (no wires, no cords) turns set on, off, or changes channels…, while you remain seated in your couch !” proclaimed the first ad. “ you can also shut off long, loud and annoying commercials while picture remains on screen.” It further added.
However, soon after Polley’s invention, his device was supplanted by a more enduring one made by Robert Adler, who also worked at Zenith over time, has often been named as its sole inventor. Robert born in 1913 passed away in 2007.
Earlier remote controls in the 1970s used ultrasonic tones. They have continually evolved and advanced over recent years to include Bluetooth connectivity, motion sensor enabled capabilities, voice control etc.
How does it work? The main remote control technology used in the home today is based in infrared light.
The signal between a remote control handset and the device it is controlling are infrated pulses, which are invisible to the human eye.
The transmitter in the remote control handset sends out a pulse of infrared light when a button is pressed on the handset.
A transmitter is often a light emitting diode (LED) which is built into the pointing end of the remote control handset. The infrared light pulse represents a binary code (0 s and 1s) that corresponds to a certain command, such as (power on).
The receiver passes the code to a microprocessor (chip) in the TV or device, which decodes it and carries out the command.
The remote control is usually shortened to simply ‘remote’. It is also known by many other names as well, such as converter, clicker, power rod, the box, jingle stick, flipper, hoofer-doofer, the tuner, ‘ the zapper’, the changer, or the button etc.
The concept of controlling devices from a distance with or without the use of wire in much older than the TV.
One of the earliest examples of remote control was developed in 1898 by Nikola Tesla, and described in his patent, U.S. Patent 613,809, named “Method of an Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles”. In 1898, he demonstrated an electromagnetic wave (radio or wireless) controlled boat to the public during an exhibition in USA. He called it “teleautomaton”.
In 1903, Leonardo Torres Quevedo presented the Telekino’ at the Paris Academy of Science, accompanied by a brief report, and making an experimental demonstration. In the same time he obtained a patent in France, Spain, Great Britain, and the United States for his invention.
The Telekino consisted of a robot that executed commands transmitted by radio waves. It constituted the world’s first apparatus by radio control.
The first remote-controlled (wireless) model aeroplance flew in 1932, and the use of remote control technology for military purposes was developed intensively during the World war II and afterwards during the days of cold war. Now we have remote controlled toy cars, pilotless aircraft (drones), lighthouses, satellites as well as politicians. Someday not too far away, we may have remote controlled soldiers using remote controlled weapons. But that in another story for another day.
By the late 1930s , several radio manufacturers offered remote controls for some of their higher end models. Most of these were connected to the set being controlled by wires, but the Philco Mystery Control introduced in 1939 was a battery-operated low-frequency radio transmitter, thus making it the first wireless remote control for a consumer electronics device.
The first wire-connected remote for a TV was developed by Zenith Radio Corporation in 1950, Called “Lazy Bones”.
The “Flashmatic”, was developed in 1955 by Eugene Polley. It worked by shining a beam of light onto a photoelectric cell, but the cell did not distinguish between light from the remote and light from other sources. The Flashmatic also had to be pointed very precisely at the receiver in order to work.
In 1956, Robert Adler developed “Zenith Space Command”, a wireless remote. It was mechanical and used ultrasound to change the channel and volume. When the user pushed a button on the remote control, it clicked and struck a bar, hence the term “clicker”. Each bar emitted a different frequency and circuits in the television detected this sound.
The invention of the transmistor made possible cheaper electronic remotes that contained a piezoelectric crystal that was fed by an oscillating electric current at a frequency near or above the upper threshold of human hearing, though still audible to dogs.
The receiver contained a microphone attached to a circuit that was tuned to the same frequency. Some problems with this method were that the receiver could be triggered accidentally by naturally occuring noises, and some people could hear the piercing ultrasonic signals.
In 1997, Adler and Polley were awarded an Emmy for their innovations.
In 1999, Sports Illustrated named them its “Men of the Millennium.”
They were sometimes blamed for contributing to obesity and sparking fights between young married couples with only one TV at home.
By the early 2000s the number of consumer electronic devices in most homes greatly increased, along with the number of remotes to control those devices. Now it’s probably a rare home to find only one ( or none) remote control on the table.
To operate a home theater system one needs as many as five or six remotes. Remote-controlled lighting, curtains, toys and even showers need more and more remotes.
It is felt that remote controllers might soon become a nightmare and an obstacle in our way to control the gadgets that we are so dependent on. However, it goes without doubt that remotes have improved the quality of lives of the disables and the elderly. (PTI)
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