Historical Notes on Television before 1900

Engineering tests in 1873 revealed the photosensitive property of selenium. The premier suggestion for a visual image system is ascribed to A. de Paiva in 1878. Carey's plan for a visual image system, commonly but incorrectly said to have been invented in 1875, was not published until 1880. Ten separate proposals for transmitting visual images appeared between 1878 and 1884 inclusive. Fourteen individuals contributed ideas ranging from basic elements to complete systems during 1885 to 1899. Various solutions were proposed for scanning, light modulation, and synchronous control. Methods were suggested for color reproduction, large-screen projection, and radio transmission. Workers in eleven countries contributed to the international effort to achieve television.