Tele-Visionaries: The People Behind the Invention of Television »

RICHARD C. WEBB, PhD, worked at RCA from 1939 to 1954, first as a research fellow with Purdue University and then as a staff research engineer. Following his career at RCA, Dr. Webb joined the staff at the University of Denver. Dr. Webb, an IEEE Fellow, received the Outstanding Electrical Engineer Award from Purdue University in 1992 and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Denver in 1996.

An insider's view into the birth and evolution of television

The engineers and scientists who participated in the invention of television never dreamed of the staggering impact that it would have on society and culture. They were simply trying to bring moving pictures into America's living rooms.

Tele-Visionaries: The People Behind the Invention of Television invites us to step back in time for a fascinating firsthand account of the invention and evolution of television. From the first developments in monochrome image transmission to color broadcasting and finally to digital video, Richard Webb's book offers us a rarely seen insider's view into the key innovations that have made television the powerful medium it is today. Dr. Webb was a member of "Ray Kell's color group" at RCA, where he was one of a handful of talented engineers who played a pivotal role in the development of television.

The book begins at a time when even the word "electronics" had not yet been coined. As the key milestones in television history are recounted, you will meet some of the early inventors and discover the tough challenges they faced and the remarkable ingenuity they used to solve them. For example, you will meet cutting-edge engineers who had to become amateur glassblowers to build the tubes they needed to support their own inventions. You will discover how these first seemingly crude steps have brought us into the age of radar, handheld computers, instant voice communications, and an ever-growing list of exotic electronic and digital devices.

Following his years at RCA, Dr. Webb continued to be an innovator; he founded three companies involved in a wide range of electronic technologies. As a pioneer in the development of digital television as well, Dr. Webb is eminently qualified to tell the whole story of television—from the first crude machines to the most sophisticated digital systems. This book is a unique opportunity to gain an insider's view into a fascinating story of perseverance and innovation.