In an effort to preserve the truth, a woman recorded hundreds of thousands of hours of TV news between 1977 and 2012. She accumulated a vast collection of 71,000 VHS and Betamax tapes, which were stored in her home and in apartments she rented specifically for this purpose. Upon her death, the Internet Archive agreed to digitize this extensive archive.
TV
First TV remote
In 1956, Zenith developed one of the earliest wireless TV remote control devices. It featured a small hammer inside the remote that could be used to strike one of four aluminum bars, producing an ultrasonic sound that was too high-pitched for humans to hear. This sound was then used to transmit signals to the TV, allowing the user to control it remotely.
While customers appreciated being able to control their TV from a distance, they often complained about the unattractive cable that ran across the floor and posed a tripping hazard.
For about ten years, ending in 1957…
For about ten years, ending in 1957, British television schedules had a gap from 6pm-7pm called the ‘Toddlers’ Truce’ where for an hour there was no programming so that parents could put the kiddies to bed.
TVs used to end broadcasting…
TVs used to end broadcasting and go static at midnight.
Even though Philo Farnsworth…
Even though Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of electronic television, was disappointed by it for most of his life, he changed his mind the day he saw Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon thanks to his invention, telling his wife “this has made it all worthwhile”.
TVs emit a tone during ad breaks…
TVs emit a tone during ad breaks that are inaudible to humans but that smartphones are listening for; now corporate entities can link the tv & phone as belonging to the same person. It means government entities can play a tone through the TV and ping all the phones in the room, identifying the whole group.
Pope Francis hasn’t watched…
Pope Francis hasn’t watched television in almost 30 years after he promised the Virgin Mary that he wouldn’t anymore.
Sitting close to the TV will not damage your eyesight. The myth…
Sitting close to the TV will not damage your eyesight. The myth spread after it was discovered that tv’s made prior to 1967 emitted excessive radiation.
The USSR had a televised song contest. Since few people had phones…
The USSR had a televised song contest. Since few people had phones, viewers would turn their house lights ON if they liked a certain song (OFF if they didn’t). The state energy company recorded the size of each power spike and reported the results to the station to determine points for each contestant.
Dogs have only recently been able to watch TV, with the advent of HDTV…
Dogs have only recently been able to watch TV, with the advent of HDTV with their higher framerates. Before that, with CRT’s, it was like watching a strobe light.