Robert Adler

Inventor / Developer of Wireless Remote Control
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
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.

"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."

People Talking About ...
Robert Adler
Highlights
Robert Adler on going to work for Zenith 
06:02
Robert Adler on how the development of the remote control came about for Zenith
03:52
Robert Adler on Zenith's place in television history
05:04
Robert Adler on developing the video laser disc, which would eventually become the DVD
06:44
Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors
02:38
Robert Adler on getting an Emmy Award for his invention, and on the then-future of the remote control
01:35
Full Interview

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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
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

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

Chapter 3
On ultrasonic remote control devices and the battery; on how televisions received remote control signals
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
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

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
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

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

Advice

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Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors
02:38

Emmy Awards

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Robert Adler on getting an Emmy award for his invention
00:36

Historic Events and Social Change

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Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II
05:40

Pop Culture

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Robert Adler on remote control sets going into production and on the remote control system's name Space Command
05:52

Technological Innovation

View Topic
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

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Robert Adler on how televisions received remote control signal
03:33
Robert Adler on advice to aspiring television scientists and inventors
02:38

War

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Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II
05:40

World War II

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Robert Adler on early projects he was assigned at Zenith and on Zenith and World War II
05:40
Professions

Inventor

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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

View Profession
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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