Happy Birthday PHILO FARNSWORTH! 🎁
We all need heroes. Great men or women whose accomplishments have changed the world. I grew up in the golden age of television. And, in my fifty or so years, we have gone from 3 black and white channels received through an antenna to having more high definition TV channels than I know what to do with. Television is a wonderful invention and I am not ashamed to admit that I love TV. I owe thanks to many people for bringing me the TV. But, I can not give credit to all. So, I will focus on the first. I will focus on the first man whose early experiments led to what eventually became television. And, that person is Philo Farnsworth. Today is August 19…and today is his birthday (born August 19, 1906). Happy Birthday PHILO FARNSWORTH!
Philo working with television receiver in his California lab in the 1920s 
Philo and I at the US Capitol; Utah’s most distinguished citizen
In 1927, Philo electronically transmitted the image of a line to a receiver in a separate room of his lab. While it may sound simple now, this experiment is considered the basis for most television technology that followed. But…in the words of Michael Lee Aday…”Stop right there. I gotta know right now”…what does this have to do with a travel blog? I am not supposed to ramble on about heroes…where’s the travel? First, please note the photo above from the US Capitol. Secondly, in honor of Philo’s birthday, my wife and I journeyed to the Early Television Museum in Hilliard, Ohio.
Initially, TV screens were flat with the console; Mirrors were used to project the scene forward 
Early Television Museum; Hilliard, OH 
Only a 6″ b&w screen, but plenty of wood
If you were into fine wood, the early televisions were for you. Lots and lots of wood, but not so much on the viewing screen. Additionally, the TVs above are from the 1940s and they are not cheap. The costs at the time were anywhere from $300-600…or by today’s money $9,000-12,000. In other words, only rich people bought these early televisions. But thankfully, televisions got better, bigger and more affordable. Rather than bore you with more TV facts, please just enjoy the sights of the Early Television Museum.
In 1951…the largest black and white TV ever made 
Without this…the TV would be worthless 
That TV and Carol are as hip as it gets
Now, we move into the future just a bit with the dawning of the color TV. Because in 1951, RCA made 200 prototypes of the RCA Model 5 color television. These 200 prototypes were the only sets to see the first broadcast color program…the Rose Bowl Parade.
The first color TV…RCA Model 5 
And then, they tried projection sets
So, now you know. Hopefully, you will never forget. Its August 19…let us all wish Philo Farnsworth a Happy Birthday…the beloved inventor of the television. PT
Thank you for reading Happy Birthday PHILO! on Traveling with PugsleyTonks
And, a special thank you to http://www.earlytelevision.org/
Additionally, you may also like this post: https://travelingwithpt.com/museum-of-what-johnson-pencil-sharpener-museum/
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