Justin Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 🚀 Throwback Tech! Did you know the 1950s Zenith Space Command remote controlled TVs using sound waves instead of infrared or batteries? Each button hit a tiny hammer inside, creating an ultrasonic frequency that the TV could detect. This ingenious system let viewers change channels and adjust volume without wires – or even batteries! 🛠️🔊 The vintage Zenith Space Command TV remote, introduced in the 1950s, used ultrasonic sound waves instead of infrared (IR) or batteries. Each button activated a small hammer inside the remote, striking metal bars tuned to specific frequencies. These ultrasonic sounds were picked up by the TV to perform basic functions like changing channels or adjusting volume. It was one of the earliest remote control systems and worked mechanically, producing distinct sounds for each command. You can check out the short video below for a closer look. Vintage tech proves that sometimes, simpler is smarter. Check it out in action! DegasElite, sramirez2008, RickR and 2 others 5 Quote
sramirez2008 Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 Love the look and sound of that clicker! DegasElite and Justin 2 Quote
RickR Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 YES! When my wife and I first got married, we had one. The brand was Curtis Mathes and we inherited from her grandfather. It worked great, and that remote was so satisfying to use. Eventually, it died and we got rid of it, but I sure wish I'd kept the remote. Justin and DegasElite 2 Quote
MaximumRD Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 Wow! I just assumed we went from "wired" remotes to battery powered wireless, had no idea any other type existed, amazing. Justin, DegasElite and RickR 3 Quote I am Rob aka MaximumRD aka OldSchoolRetroGamer and THIS is my world http://about.me/maximumrd "For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday." - M. Bison
sramirez2008 Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 (edited) My Aunt and Uncle had a Zenith console TV with Stereo. It had a clicker (don’t know what type of internals) that slipped into a case on the wall. That would have been ~1975. I loved that TV. Here’s an article on the remote with a few cool pictures and an advertisement for the original model. https://www.theverge.com/23810061/zenith-space-command-remote-control-button-of-the-month Edited November 2 by sramirez2008 Justin, RickR and DegasElite 3 Quote
Justin Posted November 2 Author Report Posted November 2 1 hour ago, RickR said: YES! When my wife and I first got married, we had one. The brand was Curtis Mathes and we inherited from her grandfather. It worked great, and that remote was so satisfying to use. Eventually, it died and we got rid of it, but I sure wish I'd kept the remote. 52 minutes ago, MaximumRD said: Wow! I just assumed we went from "wired" remotes to battery powered wireless, had no idea any other type existed, amazing. 10 minutes ago, sramirez2008 said: My Aunt and Uncle had a Zenith console TV with Stereo. It had a clicker (don’t know what type of internals) that slipped into a case on the wall. That would have been ~1975. I loved that TV. I just think this is so cool! Sometimes I look at this vintage tech used in everyday life, like AtariWriter on the Atari XL Computers, or this Zenith remote control using hammers to make sound, and I'm so impressed with what we were doing to achieve a basic lifestyle close to what we have now. If I were stuck living in the 1970s I could survive just fine with this Zenith remote. DegasElite, MaximumRD, sramirez2008 and 1 other 4 Quote
sramirez2008 Posted November 2 Report Posted November 2 12 minutes ago, Justin said: If I were stuck living in the 1970s I could survive just fine with this Zenith remote. This. Give me ‘70s tech and a mid-century modern home and furniture. DegasElite and RickR 2 Quote
MaximumRD Posted November 3 Report Posted November 3 I went from never hearing of it to now seeing this video today 😜the first entry in this video.... Justin, DegasElite, RickR and 1 other 4 Quote I am Rob aka MaximumRD aka OldSchoolRetroGamer and THIS is my world http://about.me/maximumrd "For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday." - M. Bison
- Ω - Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 On 11/2/2024 at 10:34 AM, Justin said: 🚀 Throwback Tech! Did you know the 1950s Zenith Space Command remote controlled TVs using sound waves instead of infrared or batteries? Each button hit a tiny hammer inside, creating an ultrasonic frequency that the TV could detect. This ingenious system let viewers change channels and adjust volume without wires – or even batteries! 🛠️🔊 The vintage Zenith Space Command TV remote, introduced in the 1950s, used ultrasonic sound waves instead of infrared (IR) or batteries. Each button activated a small hammer inside the remote, striking metal bars tuned to specific frequencies. These ultrasonic sounds were picked up by the TV to perform basic functions like changing channels or adjusting volume. It was one of the earliest remote control systems and worked mechanically, producing distinct sounds for each command. You can check out the short video below for a closer look. Vintage tech proves that sometimes, simpler is smarter. Check it out in action! Actually I remember this! It's one of my earliest memories in life. I was about 2 & 1/2 sitting on the sofa and could not believe they left it within my reach. I learned what every button did and had a blast until mom came in from outside and caught me with it. That 25" console seemed so big back then. Justin and MaximumRD 2 Quote <<< My YouTube Page >>>
- Ω - Posted November 4 Report Posted November 4 On 11/2/2024 at 12:47 PM, sramirez2008 said: This. Give me ‘70s tech and a mid-century modern home and furniture. I dunno man, green or orange sofas? I can dig the velvet blacklight posters, but keep me out of an avocado colored kitchen! sramirez2008 1 Quote <<< My YouTube Page >>>
MaximumRD Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 Guessing this is similar as I see no mention of batteries? - Ω -, Justin, sramirez2008 and 1 other 4 Quote I am Rob aka MaximumRD aka OldSchoolRetroGamer and THIS is my world http://about.me/maximumrd "For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday." - M. Bison
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