Inventor Of TV's First Remote Control Dies

**bb1** Wed May 23, 2012 2:50 pm

http://news.sky.com/home/technology/article/16233737

Inventor Of TV's First Remote Control Dies 16233826

Polley and colleague Robert Adler were awarded an Emmy in 1997 for their pioneering work

12:00pm UK, Wednesday May 23, 2012
Eugene Polley, the inventor of the first wireless TV remote control, has died at the age of 96.

The engineer who worked for Zenith Electronics for 47 years, died in hospital in Chicago, a spokesman for the company said.
TV enthusiasts everywhere have Polley to thank for being able to put their feet up as they surf their TV channels.

One of the early TV remote controls marketed by Zenith

Polley's 1955 Flash-Matic worked by pointing a beam of light at photo cells in the corners of the screen.
This then activated the picture and sound and changed channels.
The invention - one of 18 that led to US patents for the company - began as a luxury but is now an absolute necessity for TV owners.
Polley remained proud of his invention, Zenith spokesman John Taylor told news agency AP, and continued to show off the Flash-Matic to visitors long after his retirement.
"He was a proud owner of a flat-screen TV and modern remote," Mr Taylor said. "He always kept his original remote control with him."
Polley and fellow Zenith engineer Robert Adler were awarded an Emmy in 1997 for their pioneering work in TV remotes.