Zenith "Space Commander 400" Television Remote Control, 1958
Add to SetSummary
This device deserves to be considered the original TV "clicker." In 1956, inventor-engineer Robert Adler introduced this first successful wireless television remote control. Unlike today's battery-powered remotes, the device was purely mechanical. Pushing a button caused a tiny hammer inside the control to hit an aluminum rod, producing an ultrasonic sound. The TV interpreted the resulting clicks as commands.
This device deserves to be considered the original TV "clicker." In 1956, inventor-engineer Robert Adler introduced this first successful wireless television remote control. Unlike today's battery-powered remotes, the device was purely mechanical. Pushing a button caused a tiny hammer inside the control to hit an aluminum rod, producing an ultrasonic sound. The TV interpreted the resulting clicks as commands.
Artifact
Remote control
Date Made
1958
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
2011.49.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Plastic
Metal
Color
Brown
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Width: 3.125 in
Length: 3.5625 in
Depth: 1.5 in
Inscriptions
In raised gold type: ZENITH / RECEIVER / TUNE / SOUND In gold impressed lettering: 1 / ON-OFF / 2 / LOWER / 3 / HIGHER / 4 / ON-OFF Gold relief on lower front: SPACE COMMANDER / 400
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