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Marvin P. Middlemark was born on this in 1919. We owe Marv a debt of gratitude. You see in in 1956 (took him a while to get going) he invented the Rabbit Ears used on TV sets in the 50's and 60's.

This device alone identifies television to many folk. Even those too young to have ever seen a pair of them. Television was transmitted to most markets back then just like radio was, from atop a transmission tower. The signal varied with location and the weather so viewers stood on their head trying to get a clear picture. (There is a Mr. Bean episode where he winds up naked standing on his head in an effort to get a clear picture)

Mr. Middlemark's tidy little gizmo caught more signal for the viewers and made TV just that much more exciting. Until cable TV penetrated to most markets, Rabbit Ears were king.

He had a few more inventions up his sleeve but none hit the success nerve again. But they were the water powered potato peeler and the tennis ball rejuvinator. Go figure.