The first remotes designed to control televisions appeared in the living room in s. It allowed viewers to control their TV from the couch … as long as the wire from the remote could reach the couch. Alternate name suggestion: Trip Wire. Whomp whomp. Speaking of great names, the Blab Off, introduced in , was a wired remote that could turn sound on and off to help tune out the commercials.
Wireless remotes soon followed. There was the Flashomatic in It shined a beam of light toward a sensor on the TV. The ad fails to mention that the sensors respond to all kinds of light sources, not just the beam from the remote.
Best suited for cloudy locations to avoid spontaneous channel changes. Then came the Zenith Space Command in The main issue with this remote control was that other sounds, like a dog barking or a branch scratching the window could activate it. Scientists on Earth sent instructions to the rover , commanding it to use different instruments to collect data regarding weather, soil conditions and much more. The success of this mission spawned a rewarding follow-up mission in , in which the rovers Spirit and Opportunity explored Mars for years.
Remote controls have allowed humans to perform many tasks that would be difficult, if not impossible. And although remotes might have a long history, they are anything but over.
As we continue to weave technology into every aspect of our lives, it's very likely that we'll need remotes to keep things under control.
Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Repurposed Inventions. What is the history of the remote control? Essential Gadgets Image Gallery So many buttons, so little time.
Remote controls have revolutionized the way we use our many technologies, but they can be overwhelming, too. See more essential gadget pictures. Days of our Remote-controlled Lives " ". Remotes have created an entire lifestyle of motionlessness -- unless you're fighting to grab the controller from someone else, that is.
Remote-controlled World " ". Remotely controlled cruise missiles can destroy targets hundreds of miles away from their launch point. Academy of Model Aeronautics. March 22, September 27, Another Reason to Use an App.
But through the s and 90s, with the rise of cable TV and the explosion of ancillary devices such as video recorders, DVD players and games consoles, the remote became… rather bloated. In a piece for Slate back in , the writer mulled over the sudden proliferation of buttons on a device that used to be a time-saver. The number was I had a surplus of nearly five dozen. Will the rise of voice-controlled devices like the Amazon Echo spell the end of the traditional remote?
Credit: Alamy. But recently things have changed. As somebody who currently has about seven remotes thrashing about my den, that feels like progress. The only downside with this new version? If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.
The surprising origins of the TV remote. Mary Bellis covered inventions and inventors for ThoughtCo for 18 years. She is known for her independent films and documentaries, including one about Alexander Graham Bell. Updated September 20, Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Bellis, Mary. The Inventors Behind the Creation of Television. Television History and the Cathode Ray Tube. Mechanical Television History and John Baird. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for ThoughtCo.
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