According to Wikipedia
"A couch potato is a person who spends most of his or her free time sitting or lying on a couch. This stereotype often refers to a lazy and overweight person who watches a lot of television. Generally speaking, the term refers to a lifestyle in which children or adults don't get enough physical activity."
The tool of the couch potato is the remote control. With this item a person may change channels without leaving their seat. Millions of people use remote controls, yet few are aware that they are over 100 years old.
On July 1st 1898, Nikola Tesla applied for a patent for the first remote control. The US Patent office issued him U.S. Patent 613,809 in November of that year for his invention. That year he demonstrated it at Madison Square Garden by controlling a small boat he had dubbed a "teleautomaton". Tesla's invention was enhanced and used to pilot planes in the years that followed and in 1939 the Philco Mystery Control was released as the first powered remote control for a consumer product. In 1950 the Zenith "Lazy Bones" was the first television remote control, although it was wired. In 1956 the Zenith Space Command became the first wireless remote control.
Today the remote control is a core component of every home entertainment system opening up a world of programming without ever needing to leave your seat.
-Professor Walter
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