We often think of remote control tech as being relatively modern, but the first wireless remote control for a TV was introduced as long ago as 1955. Designed by Eugene Polley, an engineer at Zenith Electronics in the USA, the "Zenith Flash-Matic" remote control was the first wireless remote control for TV sets. It worked by pointing a directional torch flashlight, looking a lot like a sci-fi ray gun, at four photocells, one in each corner of the television set. This enabled the user to turn the picture and sound on and off, as well as to turn the channel tuner dial clockwise and counter-clockwise.

Source: Guinness World Records