The Boy Who Invented Television: A Story Of Inspiration, Persistence, And Quiet Passion

by Paul Schatzkin

While the great minds of science, financed by the biggest companies in the world, wrestled with 19th century answers to a 20th century problem, Philo T. Farnsworth, age 14, dreamed of trapping light in an empty jar and transmitting it, one line at a time, on a magnetically deflected beam of electrons. Philo Farnsworth was a self-educated farm boy from Rigby, Idaho, when he first sketched his idea for electronic television on a blackboard for his high school science teacher. Six years later, while competitors still struggled with mechanical television systems, Farnsworth successfully demonstrated his invention. He was 21. In 1930, Farnsworth was awarded the fundamental patents for modern television. He spent the next decade perfecting his invention, fighting off challenges to his patents by the giant Radio Corporation of America and defending his vision against his own shortsighted investors who did not share his larger dream of scientific independence. The Boy Who Invented Television traces Farnsworth's "guided tour" of discovery, describing the observations he made in the course of developing his initial invention, and revealing how his unique insights brought him to the threshold of what might have been an even greater discovery-clean, safe, and unlimited energy from controlled nuclear fusion.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Science

296 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Genius

We all see through a glass darkly, but not Philo Farnsworth. After almost a century this hidden genius, to most, is finally being illuminated. Beyond what he saw to fruition (television) there is the spark of fusion. This he also saw, and in truly seeing, he hid. Mankind was not ready for the power of fusion. What was written on those torn journal pages? I guess we will figure it out when we are collectively ready.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book if a bit worshipful rather like most books on Tesla. Broadcasting electricity doesn't work and neither does the Fusor. That aside the invention of television is a fascinating story as is the story of the little guy taking on RCA and Sarnoff, who was along with Bill Gates one of the greatest industrial thieves of all time.
The book does a good job of explaining things in layman's terms and it is easy to follow. The ups and downs of a creative inventive genius' life are well charted. Worth reading for anyone interested in the history of TV and invention.

[Lori.Willeybereps.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always marveled at the existence of television and wondered “where it came from”. This book is not only a biography of this boy genius but an answer to that question. The physics of it is pretty easy to understand if you have the basics of chemistry and I thought it was really interesting and well written.

[DavidO · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could have been interesting, but it just isn't. It's main fault is that the author feels the need to dramatize the most mundane things, like going on a honeymoon, which, again, just wasn't that interesting. Even though the book is short, it should have been shorter with more of the fat cut.

[LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good man, inventor sent from God but mankind did not appreciate him.

If I highlighted vital parts of this book, almost every line would be marked. This is such an important read! I feel blessed that he was born and sad that he was not acknowledged in his lifetime.

[Jim van Gulik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read about what is arguably one of the biggest inventions of the last century. At least one with the most impact on our daily lives. Can't imagine what he would have invented if he lived longer.

[Laverne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight of of brilliant young man and the tough competition in the early days of technology. The book wandered around a little too much. Going back and forth at times with little continuity. Overall an informative book.

[Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I've ever read, Farnsworth went through hardship after hardship in order to bring television to the masses. Not only that but his work on nuclear fusion was also very interesting.

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading about Philo T Farnsworth.

[Wil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting history of the unknown inventor of TV

[Douglas Mormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Exciting Invention of Television

A hard to put down easy read! Written in a story format that will intrigue anyone who loves history or stories of invention.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of Philo T. Farnsworth, an under-educated farm boy who invented television. It covers the invention process, but also the issues that go along with that. Financial backers wanting results, rivals trying to prevent him from driving his ideas forward, and even some industrial espionage. The birthing process of television was frought with hazards, both personal and professional. The ammount of time it took to come to market is a clear indicator of that.
Philo Farnsworth is an unmitigated genious, one of the sharpest minds of all time. Yet he is largly forgotten. It is unfortunate, because his name should be mentioned with the likes of Bell, Edison, Davinci and even Einstien. The book is well written. The story is compelling.

[Theophilus (Theo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story of a boy genius. We are spellbound by his inventions that enable us to enter the world of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" with its giant wall screen TVs. I got the impression from this book that Farnsworth himself probably did not watch television. For him it was merely a vision to realize and proceed on to loftier goals. A big fan of Einstein, who he talked to once, Philo Farnsworth's ultimate challenge was to reach out into the universe. He once told his wife, "one day we will travel to the stars." A worthy goal, but for many of us, we are quite satisfied to watch others do things on our televisions.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about 18 months ago. When I finished the last page, all I wanted to do was pray. Maybe it was an extreme feeling of reverence that made me feel that way. This man sacrificed so much, went through so much. His life and work would make a terrific movie..yet, the book is so much better than any 2 hour movie could be. Philo T. Farnsworth invented television...he got the idea as a 14 year old farm boy who loved electricity. This book is on my Top 100 List! I will defintiely read it again!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book after "Carter Beats the Devil" (Farnsworth is a character in that book), and was amazed. Phil Farnsworth conceived the idea of television at age eleven, making his first experiments on his family farm. A classic Horatio Alger story, and extremely well written, this is one of my favorite inventor biographies available (alond with "Copies in Seconds" and "Mauve".)

[Pia Jensen Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of the inventor of, among many other cool things, television, Philo T. Farnsworth.

I read it in the context of my project to build a Farnsworth Fusor. I learned many things from reading it and it is actually pretty exciting once you get started.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

not terribly scholastic, but a very interesting story. it makes me wonder what this biography has that the ones written by Fransworth's wife and friend didn't. Fransworth is a fascinating person and that makes this a worthwhile read

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, which would have benefitted from better editing.

[Adam Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great story of an all-to-often forgotten genius...