TV's Forgotten Hero: The Story of Philo Farnsworth

by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

A biography of the persistent experimenter whose interest in electricity led him to develop an electronic television system in the 1920s.

96 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Stephanie Sammartino McPherson wrote her first children's story in college. She enjoyed the process so much that she's never stopped writing. A former teacher and freelance newspaper writer, she has written twenty-eight books and numerous magazine stories. She especially enjoys writing about science and the human interest stories behind major discoveries.

Stephanie and her husband, Richard, live in Virginia but also call California home. They are the parents of two grown children.

Reviews

[Makengeleyannick makengele]

Question 8
This story reminds me another story “story of Heracles “the first book I read in the beginning of the fall. The two characters are the same in one same way. Therefore, they are so similar one the act that they were not recognize for what they did. Heracles did 12 works but at the end of that it was hard for him to be accepted as Phil Farnsworth was too. Philo Farnsworth spent approximately 10 years trying to be recognizing for all of his work. Although, Philo Farnsworth and Heracles were recognizing at the end, Philo earn more than 10 patents and Heracles was accepted as a God.

Question 6
I like this book because it reminds me and give me an example of gratification which could arrive late but still has the same effect. Until I was a child, my father always told me that I must study if I want to success, the purpose of success is finding only on hard and serious work as student. Before to come to USA, my father sent me to the village to see where he was born and his first house was upset about this trip. When I came back to the town, I realize how studying hard and seriously at school provide something good for the future. In the village I saw his school, where he come from and I made a comparison and conclusion ‘’one day everybody will have benefit of what they did well ‘as this story was about a forgotten hero but at the end this hero win for every fabulous invention he made (TV).

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys are part of a club for boys ages 8-11 called "Knights of Virtue" and each month they read a book about a great historical figure...usually a man that has exceptional values and followed their life mission. Philo Farnsworth was one of those men and we didn't know anything about him or the true history of "electronic television". One of the knight's mothers is related to him and she wanted us to know his story. I am really glad we read it because I use many of his inventions every day of my life and now I am grateful for the years of his life he gave to make our lives better. If you read it, you'll be surprised at what he invented other than television!