The remote control has long been considered a great advantage to TV lovers, as it allows one to magically switch through hundreds of channels without having to get up and press a button; or worse, rotate a tuner! However, the history and evolution of this wonderful technological advance is widely unknown. The first television remote control was introduced in the 1950s. This remote was not the kind that is known today. The remote was actually attached to the television via a long cable cord. Operating as a twisting device for the tuner, this first remote, called the “Lazy Bones,” was not popular as there were very few channels to choose from.
From this unsuccessful remote came another highly unsuccessful and not well thought out remote control called the Flash-O-Matic. This was a light that viewers would shine on their television in one of the four corners of the screen. Each corner had different individual light sensitive cell that were activated by the flash light. It is clear that this invention was quite complex and highly evolved for its time, however, viewers would often get confused as to the operation of each corner and it became frustrating. Another drawback was that, were sunlight to shine on the television screen, it would alter the functions of the cells and would often destroy its operations completely.
The last major alteration to the remote control in the 1950s, was the introduction of ultrasonic waves as a mechanism to operate the television. With this came the first cordless remote that operated on wave frequencies, the Space Command. The downsides to this remote were that it was sensitive to metal and that dogs would often bark when any button on the remote sent an ultrasonic wave to the television. Although it was not the best design for television remote controls, the ultrasonic wave remote was used for about two decades until infrared remote controls were introduced.
The switch to infrared, also known as IR, occurred in the 1980s. This remote functions by using a low frequency light beam that is so low that it goes undetected by the human eye. This infrared light beam is detected by the receiver in the television. These infrared remote controls gave viewers an almost limitless amount of power and control over their television. It allowed them to switch through the growing number of channels steadily becoming available on cable without having to physically get up and change the channel by pressing buttons.
This remote, while offering plenty of advantages to viewers, had a few drawbacks for networks. Since viewers were able to switch through their favorite channels easily, they would not watch the credits and would flip to a different station. In an effort to retain viewers, NBC invented the “squeeze and tease” technique. This involved squeezing the credits into a third of the screen and then airing the final broadcast minutes simultaneously. Remotes also changed the way commercials were viewed. Opposed to having them between shows, they were broken into 30-second segments that were aired in between shows, making the transition between shows more direct.
A great advantage of the IR remote was that it offered a wider array of operations than any remote prior. The IR remote was also a stepping stone toward an even better and more advanced remote control, the Universal Remote. The first Universal Remote was introduced in 1985, however, was not first bought until 1987 when it was bought by Apple’s CL-9. The programmable remote had macro capabilities and was actually able to be uploaded to a computer.
Not much has changed in the way of remote controls, except until recently. With the introduction of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch came the revelation that there are applications available, called RedEye, that controls TVs, DVD players, stereos, and other technological devices through a wireless connection.
Throughout the past half century, viewers have experienced immense technological advances in the way of television remote controls. With each new and upcoming design and invention, it becomes exceedingly easier for viewers to experience comfort when flipping through their favorite television shows and programs. No doubt the next half century will demonstrate a similar evolution in television remote controls.