posted on September 20, 2000 08:16:35 PM
I bought an old remote control for a Zenith TV many years ago at a thrift center. Several years later I saw an antique show that was talking about this TV and it showed the exact remote control as I have. They stated that this was the first remote control TV ever produced.
Anyway, I just found this remote tonight while looking through some boxes and I was wondering if one of you knows if it may be worth something. Perhaps one of you knows someone who would be able to give me a ball park estimate of what it's value is, if anything.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
posted on September 20, 2000 08:32:10 PM
I think my parents had one of those TV's. The remote worked on a sound activation system rather than the infrared type that is now commonplace.
When you pressed the buttons a bell-like tone was emitted that activated the channel changer or the power switch. Unfortunately, a ringing telephone or the sound of a flushing toilet would also cause the TV to switch off or change channels.
Despite its shortcomings, the system was pretty amazing for its time. I remember bringing all my friends to the house to see it in action. Of course I'd flush the toilet to demonstrate that particular quirk too.
The remote was about the size of a cigarette pack, solid and heavy, and I believe it was white and gold in color. The buttons were more like rocker switches.
Hope this helps as I've pretty much exhausted my memory on this one.
posted on September 20, 2000 09:10:19 PM
Can't tell you $ amount, though I do know that there are a lot of collectors of old TVs out there. Does your remote have a cord? if not, it isn't the *first*. Here is some info from a site on the history of the remote control:
Zenith began playing around with the idea of a TV remote control in the early 1950's. They developed one in 1952 called "Lazy Bones," which was a long cable that was attached to the TV set. Pushing buttons on the remote activated a motor that would rotate the tuner in the set. This type of remote wasn't popular for long considering that, at the time, there were very few channels to choose from.
In 1955, the Flash-o-Matic was invented. A flashlight was shined toward light sensitive cells in each of the four corners of the TV. Each corner had a different function. They turned the TV on and off, changed the channel, and controlled the volume. However, people often forgot which corner of the TV operated which control. Also, if the set was in sunlight, the sun's rays would affect the operations of the TV.
In 1957 a group of engineers developed the Zenith "Space Command," a wireless remote control using ultrasonic waves. The problem with the ultrasonic control was that clinking metal, such as dog tags, could affect the TV set. High frequencies sometimes also made dogs bark. The ultrasonic remote was used for two decades until engineers discovered a better way to operate TV's, the infrared remote control.
posted on September 20, 2000 09:43:10 PM
I distinctly remember the man on the TV show saying that this was the first actual remote control made, although I have been wrong MANY times in my life
This remote has a slot on the back which clips on a remote stand that comes with the TV package. I only know this because I saw it on the Show.
I just looked at a "Space Command" on eBay and it seems to look much more modern than the one I have. There are 4 large buttons on mine and they are very hard to depress. (spring loaded) When they do finally depress it makes a loud snap as the spring looses it's tension. It is brown in color with a gold colored grille which looks similar to a wire mesh.
Is it possible that there was a remote after the Flash-o-Matic but before the Space Command?
posted on September 20, 2000 10:26:57 PM
I think of out great great great grandparents crossing the country in covered wagons fighting indians, and when the finally getting settled they've got to change channels manually, THAT was primative.
posted on September 21, 2000 01:05:33 AM
Darn it you people were lucky we didn't even have a TV at that time, no TV station either let alone a remote control. Yes I lived in the United States had runnning water and electric lights but no TV.
[ edited by Libra63 on Sep 21, 2000 01:12 AM ]
posted on September 21, 2000 05:47:39 AM
Wow, my parents had a Zenith with one of those space command remotes. It reminded me of the star trek communicators...
My father wore a gigantic wad of keys on his belt and in passing the TV the jangling keys would inevitably change the channel or turn up the volume. My sister and I thought it pretty amusing unless of course we were watching "Lost in Space" at a crucial hair-raising moment....
posted on September 21, 2000 08:32:25 AM
my kids were put out the other day when the remote broke and they had to get up and change the channel. i said, 'when i was your age, i had to stand by the t.v. during commercials and change the channel for your grandpa. i WAS the remote control!' my daughter answered, 'yeah, and i bet you had to walk six miles to school in snow up to your waist, uphill, both ways . . .'
uh huh. that's what i thought!