Interesting facts about remote controls
1️⃣ The first wireless remote control was born out of laziness
Eugene Polley, inventor of the Flash-Matic (1955), admitted that the idea came to him while watching TV and not wanting to get up from the couch to change the channel.
2️⃣ Ultrasonic remotes could even “open” garages
Ultrasonic models from the 1950s–70s had such a wide frequency range that some could accidentally trigger garage doors, alarm systems, or even control a neighbor’s TV.
3️⃣ “Clicker” wasn’t just slang
The term clicker came from the metal reed inside ultrasonic remotes that made a distinct “click” sound when pressed. This sound is still nostalgically referenced in some advertisements today.
4️⃣ Japanese precision – waterproof remote control
In the 1980s, some brands (such as Sanyo) tested waterproof remotes for use with home projectors and in wellness centers.
5️⃣ Remotes as collector’s items
Original models like the Zenith Flash-Matic or Space Command can sell at auctions for several hundred dollars. There are even collector clubs dedicated exclusively to remote controls.
6️⃣ The largest remote control in the world
The record is held by a prototype built in the USA in 2007 – it was over 4 meters long and weighed 45 kg. It could functionally control a TV but was created purely as a novelty for the Guinness World Records.
7️⃣ Modern remotes can be “as smart as a phone”
Today’s models with touchscreens, backlighting, gyroscopes, and voice control have the computing power of a small computer. Some can be programmed via Wi-Fi directly from an app.
