FYI: potatoes aren't Idaho's only claim to fame.

From iconic shows like "Friends" to legendary series like "Game of Thrones," TV has evolved into more than just a source of entertainment.

Almost a century after it appeared on the scene in 1927, the ole boob tube has become something of a mirror reflecting society's highs and lows, playing a major role in shaping our culture.

And it's all thanks to an Idahoan named Philo Farnsworth. According to the Idaho State Historical Society, the brilliant, brainy 17-year-old student from Rigby High School had the wild idea to bless humanity with television and end teenage boredom once and for all. 

On one hand, Farnsworth was too young to know there would never be a cure for teens who chronically suffer from nothing to do. But! He very much managed to set the stage for all our late-night marathons and epic movie nights. And we're forever grateful! 

From the Golden Age of Television to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, it's because of this teen born in 1906 that we've traveled through time and space from the comfort of our couch. Thanks, buddy. 

TV: the savior of the anti-social...

Laugh or roll your eyes all you want, but for anti-social folks and many a single, TV is their companion on those nights when human interaction feels like too much effort. Really, for all kinds of kinds, TV is the thing that keeps them sane when the world around them is a chaotic, don't-wanna-deal-with-it-mess.

Whether it's a Gilmore Girls marathon, a Marvel movie binge, or a non-stop train of trashy, guilty-pleasure-reality TV, there's no denying the healing powers of TV.

So, before our next weekend-long stint on the sofa, let's raise a remote to the late Idaho teen who gave us the TV.

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