The father of modern civilization has died

Oink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18164200

The inventor of the television remote control has died at the age of 96, his former employer has said.
Zenith Electronics said Eugene Polley passed away of natural causes on Sunday at a Chicago hospital.
His 1955 invention, Flash-Matic, pointed a beam of light at photo cells on each corner of the TV, turning it off and on and changing the channels.
His invention was a luxury add-on in the days before hundreds of cable television channels.
Born in Chicago in 1915, Polley began his engineering career in 1935. He worked at Zenith for 47 years, earning 18 US patents.

The Flash-Matic preceded sonic and infrared TV remotes
He was a long-time resident of Lombard, Illinois, outside Chicago.
Because the Flash-Matic used light to operate the television, it was temperamental and other lights could interfere with its operation.
It was followed by sonic-controlled remotes and then infrared and radio frequency models.
Before Polley's invention, Zenith's first remote was connected to the television by a wire cord.
Polley was proud of his invention, Zenith spokesman John Taylor told the Associated Press, showing off the Flash-Matic to visitors after his retirement.
"He was a proud owner of a flat-screen TV and modern remote," Mr Taylor added. "He always kept his original remote control with him."
Along with another Zenith engineer, Robert Adler, Polley was honoured in 1997 with an Emmy for his work.


Rest in Peace, sweet Prince.
I shall pay homage to thy greatness tonight 'round 9ish. Hawaii 5-0.

chin_grin

He's just probably lost. Did they check down the back of the couch?

Seachmall

Try changing the batteries.

starbelgrade

He's not dead. He's just gone into stand-by.

PeteEd

Seachmall wrote: »

Try changing the batteries.

No need to change them, just rub them a wee bit

chin_grin

Did they try poking him harder?

frag420

Someone just pressed the pause button on him but just in case...............

Press the red button for funeral info!!

Washington Irving

Face it everyone, he's not down the back of the couch or on standby or in need of new batteries. He's dead

RIP

Seachmall

Saul-Goode9 wrote: »

Face it everyone, he's dead

Well I'm not getting up.

Duggy747

Look at the Infrared sensor on any remote while pressing a button.

Now, point a camera (like your phone's) at the infrared sensor while pressing a button and see what the camera shows.

:pac:

frag420

i dont have a remote......................I have a helper monkey instead.

I pointed the camera at him and the flash stunned him. Now he is useless.

So what happens when you do it to a remote?

abouttobebanned

Did they try turning him the other way around in the coffin?

Pherekydes

I thought this was about Herodotus.

ejmaztec

The father of modern civilization lazy-assed morbid obesity has died

Fixed thread title

chin_grin

Pherekydes wrote: »

I thought this was about Herodotus.

All Greek to me.

Morag

Plato?

Seachmall

frag420 wrote: »

So what happens when you do it to a remote?

It throws feces and and chases the cat.

frag420

but feces is my cats name....................

chin_grin

frag420 wrote: »

but feces is my cats name....................

You stroke faeces?

Duggy747

chin_grin wrote: »

You stroke faeces?

Possibly cuddles faeces, too.

Seachmall

Duggy747 wrote: »

Possibly cuddles faeces, too.

Probably even wakes up with feces on his bed.

J Cheever Loophole

I remember staying in digs in Dundalk, with a rag bag bunch, back in the 80s. The communal TV Room used to be packed for things like the Equaliser and Moonlighting, but Dave from Dublin would have pride of place in front of the telly, and as he settled down, would always demand the TV remote control - a small pool cue!!

chin_grin

J Cheever Loophole wrote: »

I remember staying in digs in Dundalk, with a rag bag bunch, back in the 80s. The communal TV Room used to be packed for things like the Equaliser and Moonlighting, but Dave from Dublin would have pride of place in front of the telly, and as he settled down, was always demand the TV remote control - a small pool cue!!

Is this you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68VXKMZT1Q

golden lane

will there be a lot of argueing.......like, who's turn is it to visit his grave....

smcgiff

RIP - probably been dropped once too often.

MetalDog

Have they not tried turning his batteries around and smacking him against the coffee table?

Nothingbetter2d

pat the baker died? ever since he came up with the sliced pan the world has never been the same

admiralofthefleet

sure wrap a bit of red or black insulating tape around him and he will be grand

Thrill

abouttobebanned wrote: »

Did they try turning him the other way around in the coffin?

They can try. The chances of it working? Remote.

eth0

Back in my day the remote control was a long shtick

Seachmall

eth0 wrote: »

Back in my day the remote control was a long shtick

Same here, although I had to stop taking the Viagra after The Great Rape Incident Of '08

eth0

Seachmall wrote: »

Same here, although I had to stop taking the Viagra after The Great Rape Incident Of '08

I don't remember that incident but I was around in '08. Was it before or after the recession started?

The Internet Explorer

Rest in " Remote control "

Senna

I bet his wife just went out and replaced him with a universal one.

LH Pathe

Sid I built a empire, on your build

/who?! sorry, I hadn't the remotest clue

The Internet Explorer

A bird in the hand is worth " remote control " in the bush.

Jesus Wept

RIP. A true modern hero. One of the best inventions ever.

Duggy747 wrote: »

Look at the Infrared sensor on any remote while pressing a button.

Now, point a camera (like your phone's) at the infrared sensor while pressing a button and see what the camera shows.

:pac:

Perhaps you'd just tell me so I don't have to do all that?

The Internet Explorer

I guess you could nearly say, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't " REMOTE CONTROL" drink. .

mikemac1

I can't imagine a world with a remote control

RIP sir, a true legend