The Farnsworth Invention

[ellen_datlow]

Just came back from a preview of a new play about the inventing of television. It's written by Aaron Sorkin, writer and producer of The West Wing and stars Hank Azaria as David Sarnoff who founded NBC. Philo Farnsworth was a genius who at 12 invented the locking mechanism on car transmissions (not being a drive, I admit to not knowing much about this). He also invented television and this is what the play is about. Patents, history, good and bad intentions, the birth of radio and television--all done as a wonderfully entertaining play. The friend I went with didn't like the ending, a grace note that allows Sarnoff to get away with his guilt over stealing Farnsworth's invention. I agree that it's unnecessary, but I found it moving. It opens November 14th. If you can see it now when it's cheaper do so.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Hey Ellen,

This sounds great - I'm a big Aaron Sorkin fan - and Farnsworth's story is quite remarkable. Have you read Carter Beats the Devil - a so-so book - which features Farnsworth as a character? I've long thought of trying to do a story with him, but I think it's too late now. (But that's a longstanding problem of mine...)

-Jay Russell

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Hi there! I did read Carter Beats the Devil--or started it. IIRC I disliked it so much I stopped reading. I may have thus missed his appearance in the novel.