Today is Philo T. Farnsworth Day!

On October 21, 2012 - TV History

Today is Philo T. Farnsworth Day!

Below, you’ll see a lot of historical photos in this salute to the father of electronic television. I hope you’ll enjoy them, but most of all, I hope you’ll remember his determination to do what no one had done before. Although this true pioneer did get a lot of “arrows in his back”, he kept on and eventually won the battle with Goliath…RCA. Thank you Philo and thanks to your wife Pem for sticking with you through the rough spots. This is a photo from the 1936 studio in Philadelphia. Enjoy!

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14 Comments

  1. Don Smith October 21, 2012

    Car, maybe. Love that logo of Nicola’s.

  2. Paul Duca October 21, 2012

    A rock band and an electric sports car aren’t enough, Don?

  3. Don Smith October 21, 2012

    And Tesla.

  4. Don Smith October 21, 2012

    Now if we can get some deserved recognition for William Friese-Green! Even if Philo does have a much cooler name.

  5. Paul Duca October 21, 2012

    I understand Betty White comes in a close second…:-)

  6. Dennis Degan October 21, 2012

    Farnsworth’s wife’s name was Elma, nicknamed “Pem”. She was the first woman ever to appear on television.

  7. Gary Donahue October 21, 2012

    When I worked in Salt Lake City our transmitter (in addition to other broadcasters) was located on Farnsworth Peak in the Oquirrh Mountain Range.

  8. Steve Dichter October 21, 2012

    I recall the wonderful documentary on Farnsworth on PBS sometime ago. A true pioneer.

  9. Chuck McKibben October 21, 2012

    I am so pleased and proud to live in Philly, less than a half-hour drive from the place where all-electronic TV was FIRST demonstrated to the public: at The Franklin Institute, by Philo Farnsworth…NOT at the 1939 World’s Fair, by David Sarnoff. Now you’ll know the truth whenever you see the history books giving credit to the wrong man.

  10. Paul Duca October 21, 2012

    From THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES: PETER MARSHALL: Did a man named Philo Farnsworth ever do anything memorable? CHARLEY WEAVER: Not according to the lovely Wanda Farnsworth.

  11. Rick Wold October 21, 2012

    Happy PTF Day to All! I think I shall spend it in front of his creation, paying due homage 🙂

  12. Mark Gulbrandsen October 21, 2012

    The building is still there and there is a plaque on it commentating the invention of electronic TV.

  13. William David French Jr October 21, 2012

    Not given the credit he deserves. AND he was only 14 when he figured out how to do it. Took him years to get it right and I am so proud that he did it right here in San Francisco.

  14. Mark Heller October 21, 2012

    watch Philo on youtube.com I’ve Got A Secret, and be amazed!