The Journey of Philo T. Farnsworth and the Invention of Television

Philo T. Farnsworth, a young farm boy from Idaho, aspired to be an inventor like Thomas Edison. Fascinated by science, he envisioned a new form of television using vacuum tubes. Despite initial challenges, Farnsworth's idea of electric television, which organized images into horizontal lines, became a reality. By 1927, with the tech industry booming, he secured investment and developed the first electronic television camera. Overcoming technical difficulties, Farnsworth's invention marked a significant breakthrough, leading to a patent and making headlines in 1928.

What inspired Philo T. Farnsworth to become an inventor?

• His admiration for Thomas Edison

• His father's profession

• His family's wealth and resources

• His access to modern technology

What was the key innovation Farnsworth believed would improve television?

• Mechanical spinning discs

• The use of vacuum tubes

• Wireless transmission

• High-resolution cameras

How did Farnsworth's idea for electronic television differ from existing technology?

• It was based on color images

• It relied on sound waves

• It broke images into horizontal lines

• It used vertical lines instead of horizontal

What did Farnsworth call his invention?

• Color television

• Digital television

• Electric television

• Mechanical television

What was the role of Farnsworth's high school science teacher in his journey?

• He helped Farnsworth with patenting

• He provided financial support

• He was the first to understand Farnsworth's concept

• He discouraged Farnsworth's ideas

What was the initial reaction of Farnsworth's father to his idea?

• He suggested improvements

• He dismissed it as impractical

• He advised him to keep it a secret

• He encouraged him to share it widely

What was the economic context in which Farnsworth developed his television technology?

• A focus on agricultural advancements

• A period of economic recession

• A booming tech industry

• A decline in industrial output

What was the primary challenge Farnsworth faced with the image dissector?

• Lack of funding

• Competition from other inventors

• Structural instability

• Patent disputes

What was the significance of Farnsworth's successful test of the image dissector?

• It was the first use of wireless technology

• It was the first time a sound was transmitted with an image

• It marked the first moving picture sent over airwaves

• It was the first time a color image was transmitted

What was the outcome of Farnsworth's invention in terms of recognition?

• It made front page news

• It was ignored by the media

• It was patented but not publicized

• It was only recognized years later