EOTO 1: What I Learned

https://learnbright.org/philo-t-farnsworth/

During our Each One Teach One presentations last week, I learned about the invention and development of many important technologies, including the first television. Sophia discussed the invention of the television during her presentation. Philo Farnsworth, an inventor from Utah, is credited with the invention of the electronic television. Known as a “technical prodigy from a young age,” (Encyclopedia Britannica), Farnsworth had long been intrigued by the prospect of electronic television, and developed a plan for how one would work in 1922. In 1927, he built the first working electronic television, and presented it to the press in 1928. Farnsworth’s investors were bought out by RCA in 1930. The head of RCA’s own electronic television project offered him $100,000 for his invention, but Farnsworth declined, and later formed his own company, eventually reaching a licensing deal with AT&T.

 

The invention of the electronic television had far-reaching impacts on society. As Sophia said, without Farnsworth’s invention, people could have never seen significant events such as the moon landing, and there would be no television industry today. While radio shows had been popularized prior to the introduction of the television, the new device allowed people to hear and see images at the same time. Today, it is estimated that 123.8 million US homes have a television. (Statista) There were also negative consequences as a result of the invention of the electronic television. According to Sophia’s presentation, studies have shown that people who watch more television are more unhappy, and that television can make people more violent, contributes to childhood obesity, and diminishes self-esteem.

 

Like all of the inventions we discussed in class, the development of electronic television proved to be extremely significant, and plays a major role in our lives today. Without the ability to broadcast images onto a screen, we likely would not have many of the electronic devices we now rely on now.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philo-Farnsworth

https://www.statista.com/statistics/243789/number-of-tv-households-in-the-us/#:~:text=According%20to%20estimates%2C%20there%20are,the%202022%2D2023%20TV%20season.