What if you had an idea that you knew would change the world?

The truth is, our history books lie to us and the internet confuses us. Our books tell us it was Vladimir Zworykin. One website states: “The Americans will tell you it was Philo Taylor Farnsworth (what a name!). The Russians and RCA will tell you it was Vladimir Zworykin. Like all complex devices, the television has many contributing inventors.” WikiAnswers. How do we find the true answer? Read the real history: Philo.

Philo T. Farnsworth is overlooked because he demonstrated normal intelligence and did nothing extraordinary in his early years; “he lacked stereotypical traits of genius” (Philo). He was a farm boy from Utah; a member of the white lower class. Yet, with only a stack of old science magazines from his family’s attic and no formal college education, this man was the first to develop technology for the television. Not only was Philo without higher education but he was also uneducated in the business world that he thrust himself into with his invention. Philo quickly became a part of the submissive group as Vladimir and RCA attempted to take advantage of him using their money and knowledge of the malicious business realm (dominance).

History teaches and illustrates that the little man doesn’t win. Without the resources it was near impossible for Philo to have the victory in this battle over the television patent. Although Philo did eventually win a lawsuit against Vladimir and RCA for the patent but not without a cost. The general public acknowledged Vladimir as the inventor, and with his public defeat, Philo became depressed and soon turned to alcohol to numb his pain. He was the little man; a small farm boy from Utah, a member of the submissive group, uneducated yet brilliant, and unfortunately lacked the voice to make himself known as the man he truly was: the inventor of the television.