Happy 125th Birthday, David Sarnoff (David Who?)

sarnoff_rca_videotape_recorder_1954

It is so frustrating that people even within the consumer electronics industry don’t know who David Sarnoff is. I took the opportunity of his 125th birthday (Feb. 27) to explore Sarnoff’s unparalleled impact on technology for a huge chunk of the 20th century for re/code. You can read why David Sarnoff should be mentioned in the same breath as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates here.

Unfortunately, a quote I got from CTA president and CEO Gary Shapiro that, for some reason, didn’t get into the piece. For the record, here it is:

“David Sarnoff was an American tech entrepreneur – a pioneer in  television and radio – who laid the foundation for today’s innovation economy. Thanks to Sarnoff, we can watch our favorite programs and movies at home and in color. Sarnoff’s contributions paved the way for today’s best home viewing experience – Ultra High Definition television – as well as video streaming. Happy Birthday to the General!”

 

About Stewart Wolpin

I have been writing about consumer electronics for four decades, including news, reviews, analysis and history for a wide variety of consumer, niche and trade outlets. For the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), I annually update the industry's history and write the official biographies of the CTA Hall of Fame inductees. Aside from writing about consumer technology for a variety of consumer, tech and trade publications, I write a blog and do market research for Digital Technology Consulting. In the non-tech world, I have written "Bums No More: The Championship Season of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers" and "The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle." Check out my work at www.stewartwolpin.com.
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