"I think a large part of the public said, 'An extra $100? For that, I can get up from my chair!' So [the first remote control] was never a large percentage of the sets sold."

    About This Interview

    In his nearly two-and-a-half-hour interview, Dr. Robert Adler (1913-2007) speaks in great detail about his pioneering work as the developer of the first practical wireless television remote control (co-invented with fellow Zenith engineer Eugene Polley). Adler outlines his long association with Zenith, which began shortly after he immigrated to the United States in 1940. He discusses the evolution of the remote control's invention at Zenith, which began with an attached remote box and cable. He talks about the impractical light-activated wireless versions that preceded his ultrasonic (and practical) version. He describes the theory behind his invention as well as its technical specifications. Adler then discusses other key innovations in television to which he contributed. He also talks about the research department at Zenith and details its makeup and functions. He then talks about his involvement in current technologies, including touch screen and HDTV. B-roll consists of cover shots and illustrations from journal articles regarding some of his most significant work. Karen Herman conducted the interview on October 11, 2004 in Chicago, IL.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on going to work for Zenith 

    06:02
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on how the development of the remote control came about for Zenith

    03:52
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on Zenith's place in television history

    05:04
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on developing the video laser disc, which would eventually become the DVD

    06:44
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors

    02:38
    Thumbnail of Robert Adler

    Robert Adler on getting an Emmy Award for his invention, and on the then-future of the remote control

    01:35
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on the dissertation for his PhD; on coming to the United States in 1940 and on the first time he saw television

    12:12

    On his first job in the United States; on comparing the technology of the United States and of Europe in the 1940s; on going to work for Zenith; on early projects he was assigned to at Zenith, and on Zenith and World War II

    16:22

    Chapter 2

    On Zenith focusing on television after World War II; on working for Zenith head E.F. McDonald; on the state of Zenith in the late '40s

    11:28

    On his duties in the research department at Zenith; on the innovations that came out of Zenith's research department when he was head of it; on Zenith's acquisition of the Rauland Corporation in 1948

    09:22

    On how the development of the remote control came about for Zenith; on the importance to Zenith of coming up with the remote control

    07:25

    Chapter 3

    On ultrasonic remote control devices and the battery; on how televisions received remote control signals

    12:37

    On remote control sets going into production and on the remote control system's name, Space Command; on how Zenith modified the remote control over the years and the popularity of the product

    07:38

    On his own personal use of the Space Command remote control and being dubbed the father of the remote control; on getting an Emmy Award for his invention, and on the then-future of the remote control; on his management style as director of research at Zenith and becoming a vice president

    09:08

    Chapter 4

    On being head of the research facility at Zenith in the 1940s; on Zenith dealing with competitors and on selecting the projects his team at Zenith worked on; on working on the gated beam while at Zenith

    11:10

    On Zenith not producing equipment for broadcasters like cameras or transmitter equipment; on Zenith working on a prototype television projection system in 1966; on developing the video laser disc, retiring from Zenith, and consulting on HDTV

    19:06

    Chapter 5

    On precision molded plastics and touch-screen technology; on Zenith's place in television history; on the then-current state of television and the then-future of television

    13:09

    On advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors; on his many patents and how he'd like to be remembered

    03:56

    On b-roll footage of articles from his career- various articles about his inventions, about the FM transmitter, oscillators, the gated beam tube, the ultrasonic remote control, and touch-screen technology

    07:33

    Advice

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors

    02:38

    Emmy Awards

    Robert Adler on getting an Emmy award for his invention

    00:36

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II

    05:40

    Pop Culture

    Robert Adler on remote control sets going into production and on the remote control system's name Space Command

    05:52

    Technological Innovation

    Robert Adler on Zenith focusing on television after World War II

    03:08

    Robert Adler on working for Zenith head E.F. McDonald

    01:37

    Robert Adler on the state of Zenith in the late '40s

    06:43

    Robert Adler on his duties in the research department at Zenith

    01:35

    Robert Adler on the innovations that came out of Zenith's research department when he was head of it

    04:45

    Robert Adler on Zenith's acquisition of the Rauland Corporation in 1948

    02:59

    Robert Adler on how the development of the remote control came about for Zenith

    03:52

    Robert Adler on the importance to Zenith of coming up with the remote control

    03:45

    Robert Adler on ultrasonic remote control devices and the battery

    09:04

    Robert Adler on remote control sets going into production and on the remote control system's name, Space Command

    05:52

    Robert Adler on how Zenith modified the remote control over the years and the popularity of the product

    01:46

    Robert Adler on his own personal use of the Space Command remote control and being dubbed the father of the remote control

    04:05

    Robert Adler on the then-future of the remote control

    00:59

    Robert Adler on being head of the research facility at Zenith in the '40s

    02:45

    Robert Adler on Zenith dealing with competitors and on selecting the projects his team at Zenith worked on

    02:33

    Robert Adler on working on the gated beam while at Zenith

    05:52

    Robert Adler on Zenith not producing equipment for broadcasters like cameras or transmitter equipment

    02:35

    Robert Adler on Zenith working on a prototype television projection system in 1966

    02:31

    Robert Adler on developing the video laser disc, which would eventually become the DVD

    06:44

    Robert Adler on retiring from Zenith to become a consultant and on the development of HDTV and touch-screen technology

    07:16

    Robert Adler on precision molded plastics and touch-screen technology

    07:02

    Robert Adler on Zenith's place in television history

    05:04

    Robert Adler on the then-current state of television and the then-future of television

    01:02

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors 

    02:38

    Robert Adler on his many patents and how he'd like to be remembered 

    01:16

    Television Industry

    Robert Adler on how televisions received remote control signal

    03:33

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors

    02:38

    War

    Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II

    05:40

    World War II

    Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II

    05:40

    Inventor

    Robert Adler on his management style as director of research at Zenith and becoming a vice president

    03:30

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors

    02:38

    Technology Innovators

    Robert Adler on his management style as director of research at Zenith and becoming a vice president

    03:30

    Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors

    02:38

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