– photo courtesy of http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/remotectl.htm
Well, well, what do we have here? Why, it’s the world’s first wireless television remote control! The, “Flash-matic”, was invented right here in Chicago by Zenith Electronics engineer Eugene Polley in 1955.
There are literally endless jokes, quips and guffaws about ‘men and their remotes’; however, one need only take a glance at the above picture to see a lovely lady using the fantastic Flash-matic in a technique that can only be described as, ‘precision-like’.
Quite frankly, I can see an uncanny resemblance between the Flash-matic and a travel hair dyer! Coincidence? There is a chance, but it’s ‘remote’!!!
The Chicago Files 
lol! wow! I had the knob channel selector, then the cord and was so happy! wasn’t long after I saw the remote and thought we finally came to the future XD
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I know, right? *LOL* It was almost space-age!!! ;-P
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who knew?????
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I sure didn’t, Cindy! *LOL* Cher xo
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🙂 here we are 🙂 on the sofa x
oh this made me gwaugh!
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Awh, there she is! I hear the kettle whistling!!! Thank you my dear! Cher xo
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nope, not a single coffee last night 😉
too hot 🙂
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Ah, a cold bevvy? Iced tea? 🙂
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😉 so American 🙂
90 mins of yoga everyday for 30
water, lemon, honey & salt!
hmn yum 🙂
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*grin* Agreed on all accounts!! 😉 Cher xo
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You are hilairous. 😆
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Haha, why thank you, dear seeker!! 😉 xoxo
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Now that’s quite something. I had no idea that early remote controls resembled hair dryers. The name “Flash-matic” has the ring of a washing-machine about it. 🙂
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Isn’t it just something, Don? I had no idea either! *LOL* Why yes, it does sound like a washing-machine, doesn’t it? Flash-matic – the latest washing-machine gizmo that gives your socks a wash in a flash; it’s auto-MATIC! 😉 Silly me! Cher xo
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Today I learned who invented the Zenith Flash-matic telley Eugene Polley in 1955. Oh sure, me the sieve brain when it comes to names. Thanks for the info. Cher. Keep em coming. Love,Lorraine
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:34:15 +0000 To: lemmerson60@hotmail.com
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Hey there, dearie! Yes, an interesting (although perhaps little known) fact that is another Chicago invention! I sure will, thanks! Love, Cher xo
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I want one of those. I could “Elvis” the TV without the mess.
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*LOL* You most certainly could, Bruce! I think I want one, too! Cher xo
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Great stuff, Cher. Where do you get all this wonderful info about Chicago? (Rhetorical question.) I don’t expect you to expose your “sources” but it’s a wonderful thing. Since reading your posts, I’m getting so informed! I had no idea when, and by whom, the remote came into commercial use. My father was a techno-bug, and he had to have radios, phonographs and TVs in every room, and my Mom had to find a quiet place in the house where she could read or knit. I think that’s where I get it from. I have a TV in every room, too, plus phones all over the house. I better not misplace a remote. What would we do without those “lazy person” gizmos? Thanks so much, Zenith Electronics engineer Eugene Polley! And thank you, Cher. xo
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Awh, dear Carol! Thank you so much! Well to be honest, my “sources” are unknown to me, too! I seem to get an idea, observe something, or it just merely shows up! *LOL* Isn’t that neat that your father was a techno-bug. I’m sure he was very good at fixing and restoring electronics. Do you think he had a Flash-matic? I quite agree, my dear! I am so use to remotes now that the thought of going up to the tv to change the channel seems barbaric! How did that happen? *grin* Big hugs, Cher xo
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No, I don’t think he had a Flash-matic. I never remember a remote that looked like that. It is amazing how we let ourselves get so lazy, isn’t it?
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I had never seen anything like this, either. Oh yes, it is true Carol, isn’t it? We humans seem to always be looking for the ‘latest and greatest’ to make everything easier, including walking 10 feet to change the channel! *grin*
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Right on!
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I grew up with a black and white T.V. but we never had a remote. I never even heard of a remote back then. We had black and white longer than everyone else. I didn’t know The Wizard of Oz was in color and I couldn’t figure out why it was called the Emerald Road.
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Oh Susanne, you made me laugh with your, “The Wizard of Oz” comment, because I bet there were lots of families that had the same thoughts! I am sure they thought, “What?” Why the Emerald Road? That doesn’t make sense whatsoever! 🙂 Remote controls seem to be attached to people these days, don’t they? Cher xo
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I’m surprised the woman in thecad isn’t pointing the remote at her husband.
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Hahahaha, Hhhmmmmm, “points” to ponder on a Tuesday a.m. I shall ruminate on that one; thanks, Phil!!! Cher xo
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Yes looks remarkably like my travel hair dryer to me… You always find the most remarkable subjects.. Thank you Cher.. I enjoyed catching up with a few of your posts today xox Hugs Sue
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