when it comes to building technology, it's hard not to think of philo farnsworth. who collected issues of science and invention magazines. at 11 years old, his parents took him to salt lake city. he marveled at the electric street lamps, the steady hum of automobile traffic, and the web of telephone and power lines that connected a modern world. born in 1906, philo was a farm boy who collected issues of science and invention magazines. at 11 years old, his parents took him to salt lake city. he marveled at the electric street lamps, the steady hum of automobile traffic, and the web of telephone and power lines that connected a modern world. philo dreamed of building technology that would change the world too. at just 14 years old, he stunned his family and teachers by sketching out the basic design for the world's first electronic television system -- an idea sparked while tilling fields on the family farm. a year later, tragedy struck and his father passed away. philo became a primary provider for his family. all of this took time away from his scientific pursuits