Philo Farnsworth

At 11 years old, this kid began experimenting with electricity in Idaho.  In 1920, at the age of 14, he showed his high school chemistry teacher his design for electronic television.

A young Russian immigrant, Vladimir Zworykin, had also thought up television independently and almost simultaneously. He ended up helping RCA develop a working system.

Philo’s patent was challenged by RCA in court.

Philo won and was awarded the patent because his high school chemistry teacher had copied down the design he saw on the blackboard in 1920, proving that Farnsworth was first.

Farnsworth did make some money licensing the patent to RCA, but he never really shared in the glory or the huge fortunes that were made.

Photocopy of the drawing Justin Tolman, Philo’s chemistry teacher,  made in 1920 that ended up sealing the deal for Farnsworth in patent court.