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Inventor of the TV Remote Control Dies

Posted by Soulskill on from the rest-in-peace dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Yes, kids, you used to have to walk across the room to change the TV channel. That changed with the introduction of the 'Flash-Matic,' a revolutionary device that was 'Absolutely harmless to humans!' and could 'even shut off annoying commercials while the picture remains on the screen.' Eugene Polley, inventor of the now ubiquitous TV remote-control died Sunday of natural causes at age 96. In 1996 Polley received an Emmy for his invention, but during his 47-year career, he was awarded numerous patents and worked on projects ranging from advances in radar to push-button car radios."

9 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Duplicate idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not sure if dumb or troll...

  2. Do you think they've tried turning his batteries by duguk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do you think they've tried turning his batteries round and smacking him against the coffee table?

  3. Re:in honor of Eugene Polley by dccase · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want a button for GET OFF MY LAWN!!

  4. "Currently Dead"? Check! by balzi · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't believe this guy. He is so committed to getting in the current slashdot poll, that he's become the newest "Currently Dead Inventor".

    I will create a post in the poll comments to record his memory forever - the inventor is dead! Long live the Inventor!

    --
    "I split coffee all over my wife's nightie .... serves me right for wearing it" -Speelberg, no 'Spar
  5. Re:Do you think they've tried turning his batterie by Bigby · · Score: 5, Funny

    To honor him, every channel should show him at the same time for 5 minutes straight. People will start using their remotes to change the channel, only to get nowhere. Only then will they truly understand the importance of the remote control.

  6. Arrangements for the funeral... by Lord_of_the_nerf · · Score: 4, Funny

    He will be respectfully tucked in between the cushions of a couch.

  7. Re:I never saw one of those by ACS+Solver · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think I just realized one of the few advantages of coming from a Soviet country - I was surprised by a remote control as a luxurious item in around 1995 ;)

  8. Re:Do you think they've tried turning his batterie by mykepredko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tabatha Southey (Toronto Globe and Mail Columnist) suggests that it would be most appropriate for Mr. Polley to be buried under some couch cushions.

    RIP and thank you for relieving the few calories of energy it took to get our fat asses up and over to the TV to change the channel.

    myke

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
  9. Re:Parrot TV by jimicus · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've already got a remote control of sorts that does that - it's called "big box of dry cat food".