Grandpa & TV Remote Control

Eugene Polley died in June 2012. His obituary in The Week mentioned he invented the "world's first wireless remote control in 1955, forever changing the way we watch television and saving a generation of children from endlessly marching between couch and dial." It was called the Flash-Matic.

This reminded me of Grandpa's remote control. Caryl Holton's invention came from the same time period but it wasn't quite as sophisticated. He strung a wire from the TV, under the carpet, and to a switch placed near the couch. He could turn the TV sound off when the commercials came on. Grandpa liked to watch sports. I remember there was often some tension in the air during family gatherings if Grandpa wanted to have the TV on when we were there - or if holiday dinners needed to be scheduled around games. Our family's attitude towards TV is subject for another post. 

photo - Caryl Holton - April 1957