We can't imagine life without television today. Almost every household in the nation has at least ONE television set, and most have more than one. We pick up our remote controls and push a button that turns on the television set and other buttons that change channels (there are hundreds of choices) without giving a single thought to the miracle of the medium.
And the medium is a technological miracle that was many years in the making. First came recorded sound — the technology miracle that allowed sound to be recorded and then replayed. Then came the technology miracle of moving pictures. The two technologies were merged, and we got the "talkies." The world that wasn't long past the age of the horse and buggy was astounded! America LOVED the movies!
But back there behind the scenes were the inventors and scientists who dreamed of even more advanced technology. The idea was to send sound and pictures over the air waves directly into people's homes — television! The early pilgrims into the new world of television were laughed at and ridiculed. But they kept on investigating, trying things out, and finally we got early television. Imagine! Entertainment in your own home with the push of a button! This was amazing stuff! America LOVED television as much as they loved movies and the world of entertainment was brought into living rooms everywhere — or, almost everywhere.
Television technology has continued to be developed. What wasn't possible a few years ago is not only possible, but "old hat" today. We have instant access to what is happening all over the world. If a plane crashes in the jungles of Africa, we know it NOW! If a movie star gets arrested for drug use, we know it NOW. Instant information and entertainment with the push of a button has become commonplace thanks to that amazing medium, television!
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