Born on August 19, 1906 in a log cabin in Beaver, Utah, by the age of 14 years he had conceived the idea of electronic television. You thought it was the RCA people, like Sarnoff and Zworykin? Right? No, in 1934 the U.S. Patent Office awarded priority of invention to Farnsworth. So, if you want to toss your TV set out the window, Philo is the one you want to blame. Or, if you want to bless your television set, talk to the Farnsworth family.
It does seem strange to see Philo’s name in the same list with scientists like Crick, Salk, Hubble and Goddard, but that’s the way it is. Many great men come from similar backgrounds, like Philo’s potato patch in Utah.
Greatness does not always come from “great” backgrounds, but often from humble families, set in obscure places. The Bible tells of many great ‘unsung heroes’ of the faith, people like the following:
MRS. NOAH
We are not even given her name, just “Noah’s wife,” Genesis 7:13. We know much about Noah, his three sons—Shem, Ham and Japheth—but little about his wife.
Of course, there are some Bible women whose mates are little known (Ruth, Dorcas, Lydia, etc.), but who influenced their lives. Think of the circumstances under which "Mrs. Noah” must have lived. While her husband was out building that ark, she had to face the neighbors’ sarcastic questions and remarks. She was a righteous mother to the three boys, and she was confined in that ark for more than a year as the flood covered the earth.
Many wives today establish the foundation, the flavor of the family, even while living in difficult times. A Christian wife today must be ready to dress, speak and act in a way that her influence and that of her family defines and reveals their Christian faith, their life in Christ.
Solomon was right when he said:
“House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord,” Proverbs 19:14
They may be “unsung heroes” in our eyes, but God knows of their value, and He honors them.
ANDREW
We are familiar with Simon Peter, but of Andrew we know little. One of the first Apostles chosen by Jesus, Andrew was a disciple of John the baptist. When he met Jesus and realized He was indeed the “lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29, immediately Andrew wanted his brother, Peter, to meet Jesus.
Andrew seems never to have been in the “inner circle” of Jesus’ men, but we see no signs of jealousy or bitterness. William Barclay has this to say about him:
Few people could have borne that situation with graciousness and without resentment. Was Andrew not one of the first two disciples to attach themselves to Jesus? Yet he was not of the inner circle. Was it not Andrew who brought Peter to Jesus? Yet it was Peter who had the pre-eminence, and Andrew was only his brother. Andrew was one of those people who did not care who occupied first place.
Why do we honor him? Because cities, nations and churches prosper when there are those who care little who gets the praise, as long as Christ is given the ultimate glory. Yes, we could use a few more “Andrews” today!
CALEB
When Israel was released from captivity in Egypt, Joshua was a prominent leader. Caleb was an ordinary man who, with Joshua, is known as one of the two faithful spies of Numbers chapters 13-14. Fear ruled ten of the spies, whose faith was small if it existed at all. “They are stronger than we,” they said, Numbers 13:31.
But Caleb and Joshua said,
“If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey,” Numbers 14:8
How much easier it would have been for Caleb to ally himself with the majority instead of Joshua. It is always hard to oppose the majority, and even more so when an entire nation’s future hangs in the balance.
Caleb, along with Joshua, had a great faith—so much so that he was able to stand and survive the hostility of his opponents. This quality is found in all great men and women, and is a quality that all Christians must possess. When our friends and family take the course that leads to violating the law of God, we must be like Caleb, standing firm for righteous living.
Caleb was rewarded with the words of God as quoted by Moses:
“To him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord,” Deuteronomy 1:36
After discussing “Mrs. Noah,” Andrew and Caleb, the exploits of Philo Farnsworth are considerably diminished. Every congregation thrives upon such “unsung heroes,” and we salute you and your faith. May your tribe increase!
