1955
Inspired by the idea of controlling the television with light, inventor Eugene Polley creates the Zenith Flash-Matic, the first wireless remote control. The device is sold with a specially equipped television with light-sensitive areas integrated into each corner of the set. Zap one corner with the Flash-Matic and the television flickers on or off. The other corner changes the channel. Zenith sells nearly 30,000 Flash-Matics after the product’s launch.
