Remote Control

By Caetlin Benson-Allott

Subjects: Social science / media studies, Grazing (Television), Television, Philosophy / aesthetics, Television--channel selectors, Tk6655.c5 b46 2015, Popular culture--united states, Television--channel selectors--history, Popular culture, united states, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, Channel selectors, Popular culture, Television viewers--psychology, LITERARY CRITICISM / Semiotics & Theory, 302.23/45, Television--social aspects, Lit006000 phi001000 soc052000, Social aspects, History, Television, psychological aspects, Television viewers, Psychology, PHILOSOPHY / Aesthetics, Grazing (television), Television, history, Television broadcasting, social aspects, Literary criticism / semiotics & theory

Description: While we all use remote controls, we understand little about their history or their impact on our daily lives. Caetlin Benson-Allot looks back on the remote control's material and cultural history to explain how such an innocuous media accessory has changed the way we occupy our houses, interact with our families, and experience the world. From the first wired radio remotes of the 1920s to infrared universal remotes, from the homemade TV controllers to the Apple Remote, remote controls shape our media devices and how we live with them.