Les Paul in 1941

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009)

 
Les Paul and Mary Ford at work in their home recording studio

Eugene Polley with his Flash-Matic (L) and a present day remote control

Eugene Polley, inventor of the TV remote control, has died at the age of 96. His
former employer, Zenith Electronics, announced that he died of natural causes
on Sunday, May 20 at a Chicago hospital.

In 1955 Polley invented the Flash-Matic, which shot a beam of light at photo cells
placed on each corner of a TV screen allowing it to change channels as well
as turning it on and off.

1973