Zenith Electronics and the evolution of the TV remote

The history of the television remote control began with Zenith Electronics, which released the non-wireless ‘Lazy Bone’ in 1950. This was followed by the ‘Flash-Matic’ in 1955, a wireless device that used light signals but was prone to accidental changes caused by sunlight. In 1956, Zenith introduced the ‘Space Command,’ which utilized sound waves and gave rise to the term ‘clicker’ due to the audible clicking noises produced by the buttons.

By the 1980s, the rise of multichannel cable television made infrared signal remotes indispensable. The invention of the remote significantly altered television consumption and programming strategies. Networks like CBS and NBC developed specific scheduling flows, such as ‘must-see TV’ or carefully curated Saturday night lineups, to prevent viewers from channel surfing. While the device offered convenience, it also introduced new behaviors like aimless channel scanning and the common frustration of losing remotes in furniture.