History of Remote [infographic]

Every electronic device we can’t shove in a pant pocket comes with a remote. TV’s, DVD players, DTH receivers and Microwave ovens, all of these come with a remote control device. How did this ubiquitous device, we are so used, come into existence? Out of human laziness of course. The first remote control was born in 1950, manufactured by Zenith Radio Corporation and it had wires stretching up to 20 feet. Ironically, the remote was named ‘Lazy Bones’. The first wireless remote came 5 years later in 1955.

The current crop of remotes come with a maze of buttons totaling sometimes to 50 buttons, the older remotes were much simpler with just 3 buttons. Infrared and Bluetooth is the communication technology used over the years. Like all things related to electronics, remotes are bitten by the touch screen bug too.

From smartphone apps which can control smart tv’s to Android based universal remote controls, remote is slowly transforming into a touch screen device. Yet another trend is the slow integration of remote controls with mobile phones – Micromax X235, iPhone apps, Samsung apps for iPhone and Android – are some of the recent trends.

Check out this infographic on the history and transformation of a remote control :

Via Visual.ly