Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Who is Elma Farnsworth?

Do you know this woman? You do - and you don't even know it. She is partially responsible for something you use everyday. She was a pioneer. You should thank her. She was the very first person to do something no-one had ever done before. She just died in a Salt Lake City Nursing Home - with no fanfare. She was 98 - and reportedly lucid - right up to the end. She probably bragged about her accomplishments to deaf ears. What she did - is now taken for granted. She made a huge impact on this world - and it's a shame more people didn't recognize her achievements.

She is Elma Farnsworth. She was married to Philo Farnsworth. Philo invented television. Elma helped in the lab. Elma was the first person - ever - on television.

I bet the staff at the nursing home thought she was a crazy old woman when she mentioned that she helped invent the Nursing Home Common Room Sony.
As residents watched their programs, she probably mentioned that she was the very first person on television. I bet most said, "OK Mrs. Farnsworth, let's get you some medication."

I bet Elma in her later years wasn't even allowed to hold the remote.

Thanks Elma - On behalf of TV junkies - everywhere.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

TV junkie here, found this one interesting. I had no idea, so I looked her (actually the hubby) up online.

http://www.mztv.com/mz.asp (look for pioneers in television).