AN INVENTOR WITH VISION As a young man, Philo T. Farnsworth enjoyed science and machines. He particularly liked sharing his
ideas about them. When he was in his mid-teens, Philo made a presentation for his science class. He
showed his teacher something important he had been thinking about. With a piece of chalk, he sketched a
design on the chalkboard. The sketch showed an invention he had thought about while plowing a potato field.
The year was 1921.
People in the 1920s got most of their news and information from the newspapers. People also listened to
the news and other kinds of programs on radios. Technology was not like it is today.
When Philo finished his drawing, he explained it. It was a new electronic device. The invention was
something the world had not seen before. It would create images on a screen. The images would be created
by scanning a picture with horizontal lines. The lines were straight, like the rows he planted for potatoes. It
would use electricity to make pictures. His teacher was amazed.
Six years later Philo finally built his device. His invention would change the communication world forever.
It was called the television!