Turns out the class was right. No one and everyone invented television.
Might as well ask, "Who Invented the Automobile?". Last time I checked some of the first references to a self-propelled vehicle go back to a time before the Roman Empire. Descriptions of Radio and Television were topics that interested Abraham Lincoln. I was born during the height of the teleportation craze, that carried right through to the premiere of Star Trek. My old friend Rod "Twilight Zone" Serling could tell you guys all about that.
Television was an international race and the British want to claim that title in a bid of national pride. But television was also a collaboration. And like the automobile, television was the result of many people around the world.
I have a connection to the 1988 PBS documentary series called, "TELEVISION", hosted by Edwin Newman. (One of these days I'm going to share my story), and you guys should know that Edwin Newman is one of the fascinating personalities that helped shape TV in the United States.
Take a look at the series on YouTube, I start with part two on purpose as part one is an extended intro:
