TV's Forgotten Hero: The Story of Philo Farnsworth (Trailblazer Biographies) [Hardcover]

Stephanie Sammartino McPherson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Trailblazer Biographies

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

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6. Philo Farnsworth?not your everyday household name?is introduced in this well-researched and accurate biography of the inventor responsible for making television work as we know it today. His unique ability to use the principles of electricity and to tirelessly experiment until his theory of electronic transmission was proven effective is simply, yet thoroughly explained. McPherson incorporates information about family, personal feelings, triumphs, and failures in language that flows easily. There is enough drama and suspense to stimulate readers' interest. Good, clear diagrams explain concepts and theory. Numerous back-and-white photos complement the account of Farnsworth's childhood, family life, and scientific world and work. A respectable bibliography and index round out this informative and succinct profile.?Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. His name may be obscure, but his invention is one of the most pervasive of modern life. Philo Farnsworth invented electronic television when he was only 14 years old. Years of struggle followed to develop the concept, patent it, and see his dream become reality. Along the way Farnsworth also invented the Isolette, an enclosed, sterile crib for isolating premature babies too frail to survive in a normal environment. He also developed a radar system used by the military and an Iatron, which assisted air traffic controllers in monitoring aircraft, and researched the peaceful uses of nuclear fusion. Interestingly reconstructing the drama of Farnsworth's life, McPherson incorporates anecdotes that personalize the precocious youth and inventive adult. A generous supply of photographs punctuates a very readable biography. Ellen Mandel

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157505017X
• ISBN-13: 978-1575050171
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly Disappointing, November 16, 2011

By 

William W. Flint (Port Angeles, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: TV's Forgotten Hero: The Story of Philo Farnsworth (Trailblazer Biographies) (Hardcover)

McPherson's book is profoundly disappointing.

In her own words, in a brief note at the end of TV's Forgotten Hero, she wrote, "Phil considered his fusion experiments the most important work he had ever done" yet McPherson has written only one short paragraph about his fusion work on page 82. In it, she wrongly states that Farnsworth "...couldn't..make other people understand his theories." She completely omits work on the Fusor that was done shortly before his death, and the possibility that AEC termination of funding for the Fusor (in favor of the Tokamak) may well have contributed to his depression, pneumonia, and death.

McPherson's book is obviously intended for young people, yet she completely misses the opportunity to explain nuclear fusion and how the Fusor works (which is not difficult to explain at a 12-year-old level). She omits the fact that over the past ten years, high school kids have been building working fusors; and omits all discussion of the Fusor's present Polywell incarnation, which promises the possibility of ultimately saving civilization from destroying itself. Instead, she inexplicably devotes more that 50 pages to the workings and development of Farnsworth's television, and dismisses his fusion research, saying his work "on military contracts...proved more practical than his fusion experiments."