DiscoverNonsense with cj little and Jeff ParkerDon’t Touch That Dial: A History of the Remote Control
Don’t Touch That Dial: A History of the Remote Control

Don’t Touch That Dial: A History of the Remote Control

Update: 2025-09-18
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Description

What started as a lazy person’s dream—changing the channel without getting up—actually began with torpedoes, Tesla’s radio-controlled boat, and a whole lot of weird engineering experiments. 

From Zenith’s cord-tripping “Lazy Bones” to the sun-triggered Flash-Matic, the ultrasonic “Clicker,” and the 92-button monstrosities of the 1980s, the TV remote has a history that feels more like science fiction than anything else. In this episode, the boys trace how a once-luxury gadget turned into the most lost object in your living room—and ask whether today’s “universal remotes” or voice commands have finally solved the chaos (spoiler: not really).


Segment

The history of the remote control: Why are they so awful?


The surprising origins of the TV remote


Remote Background - Zenith Electronics


Remote control - Wikiwand


Clicker - Wikiwand


Close

Excel speedrunning : r/oddlysatisfying


https://github.com/Excelobstaclecourse/Excel-Obstacle-Course


My Favorite Year Official Trailer #1 - Peter O'Toole Movie (1982) HD


All Products - excelobstaclecourse


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Don’t Touch That Dial: A History of the Remote Control

Don’t Touch That Dial: A History of the Remote Control

cj little and Jeff Parker