Saturday September 7, 2002 marks the 75th anniversary of the first transmission of modern electronic television by its inventor, Philo T. Farnsworth, from his lab at 202 Green Street in San Francisco.

Philo didn't work for a big lab at GE or RCA or even Bell Labs.  He didn't have anywhere near the financial resources available to him that his competitors did in the race to develop television.  Philo wasn't even old enough to drive a car when he drew his first rough schematics for an electronic television system at the age of 14.  Philo T. Farnsworth was one of those rare brilliant and driven lone inventors who could see new possibilities that many others were searching for but had missed.

Philo T. Farnsworth, Nikola Tesla and Royal R. Rife are important scientist inventors we have focused on that had several significant things in common.  Each were born unto humble beginnings.  Each created major new technologies that powerful interests felt threatened by. All 3 inventors were underappreciated for their contributions. Powerful individuals or corporations tried to manipulate the courts in order to legally steal some of their most lucrative technologies.  Each inventor was vindicated by the courts but at a very high personal price.  Each had a lab that was destroyed by fire. Their greatest inventions have all been foolishly suppressed.  Most Americans don't even know who these inventors were or what they invented.  All of them were gifted dreamers and passionate tinkerers who created significant practical solutions for the benefit of all mankind.

We must do more as individuals working together to identify and support the critical work of the great neglected inventors of our age.  Not everyone is destined to be a great inventor, but everyone can do something to help support one.  The quality of our future is at stake.  Everyone can do something that makes a difference, and oh how exciting and satisfying it can be to be part of such a meaningful endeavor.

On September 7, I hope you'll take a moment to remember Philo T. Farnsworth when you turn on your TV or look at your computer screen.  He made it possible, and if you ever meet another 14 year old as bright as Philo was, you'll be doing the whole world a great favor if you tell him about Philo and encourage the lad in any way you can.

 

-George Gaboury
President, San Francisco Tesla Society