TV remote inventor Eugene Polley passed away age 96 from natural causes at a Chicago hospital.
Polley invented the TV remote-- making life a lot more comfortable for coach potatoes everywhere-- back in 1955 with the gun-like "Flash-Matic" It fired a light beam at 4 photo cells on each corner of the TV screen in order to turn switch between channels.
Original adverts described it as a "flash of magic light" that "you have to see to believe it." It wasn't perfect, mind-- sunlight affected the photo cells, changing channels at unexpected moments.
Polley was born in Chicago in 1915, and started his engineering career in 1935. His career with Flash-Matic makers Zenith Electronics lasted 47 years, earning him 18 US patents.
In 1997 Polley received an Emmy for his work together with fellow Zenith engineer Robert Adler.
Go TV Remote Control Inventor Eugene Polley Dies at 96 (BBC)