Philo Taylor Farnsworth was born in a log cabin near Beaver, Utah. Even from a young age, Farnsworth displayed a keen interest in mechanics and electricity, foreshadowing his future inventive endeavors. His upbringing in a rural setting fostered resourcefulness and hands-on problem-solving skills.

While plowing a potato field on his family's farm in Idaho, Farnsworth envisioned how an image could be transmitted electronically, drawing inspiration from the parallel rows of the plowed field. This moment of insight sparked the fundamental concept of dissecting an image into lines, scanning it, and then reassembling it on a screen, a crucial element of electronic television. Farnsworth was just 14 years old at the time.

At 16, Farnsworth presented his ideas for electronic television to his high school science teacher, Justin Tolman. Tolman, initially skeptical, became convinced of Farnsworth's concept's viability and provided invaluable encouragement and guidance. This early validation was instrumental in Farnsworth's pursuit of his invention.

Farnsworth achieved a major breakthrough on September 7, 1927, when he successfully transmitted the first all-electronic television image: a simple straight line. This momentous occasion, witnessed by his team in his San Francisco laboratory, marked a pivotal moment in the history of television and proved the feasibility of his invention.

Farnsworth engaged in prolonged and costly patent battles with Radio Corporation of America (RCA), led by David Sarnoff, who sought to control the burgeoning television industry. Despite RCA's attempts to invalidate Farnsworth's patents, the courts ultimately upheld Farnsworth's priority as the inventor of electronic television, though the legal struggles took a significant toll on him financially and emotionally.

After years of legal battles, RCA finally conceded and licensed Farnsworth's patents, paving the way for the commercialization of electronic television. This agreement acknowledged Farnsworth's crucial contributions, but by this point, the patent's remaining lifespan was shortening, limiting his financial gains from the widespread adoption of television.

During World War II, Farnsworth turned his attention to military research, contributing to the development of technologies such as infrared night vision devices and radar systems. His inventive mind was applied to national defense, showcasing his versatility and commitment to innovation beyond television.

Philo Farnsworth died at the age of 64 in Provo, Utah, after battling pneumonia. Despite his groundbreaking inventions, Farnsworth's later years were marked by financial difficulties and a sense of being overshadowed by the commercial success of television, which he felt was often used for purposes he didn't endorse.