John Hammond Jr. American inventor Date of Birth: 13.04.1888 Country: USA

Biography of John Hammond Jr.

John Hays Hammond Jr., an American inventor, is best known as the 'father of remote control'. He was born in San Francisco, California, into a well-off family. His father had amassed a fortune through his engineering talents, which ultimately influenced Hammond's own destiny.

In 1893, when Hammond was just five years old, his family moved to Transvaal, where his father worked in the legendary South African mines. Five years later, the Hammond family relocated to England, where John developed a fascination with castles and medieval life. At the turn of the century, the Hammond family returned to the United States.

At the age of 20, John Hammond accompanied his father on a business trip that led them to Thomas Edison's laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey. Impressed by the young boy's curiosity, Edison gave him a personal tour of the complex and became his mentor. Hammond maintained a close relationship with Edison until the latter's death.

While studying at Yale University's scientific school, Hammond became deeply interested in radio waves, a relatively new and unexplored field at the time. He furthered his research and education under the guidance of another renowned inventor, Alexander Graham Bell. Their relationship continued until Bell's death.

Hammond graduated from Yale in 1910 and subsequently found employment at the United States Patent Office. Following Edison's advice, Hammond believed that working where all patents converged would enable him to track the most promising and innovative inventions. As a high-ranking official in the patent office, Hammond established his own laboratory for researching radio waves and radio technology at his father's estate in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Hammond's inventive activities were prolific, with over 800 foreign and American patents attributed to him for more than 400 inventions. He primarily focused on radio and naval weapon systems. For a period, Hammond served on the board of directors for RCA, and his friends and acquaintances comprised a significant portion of the "Who's Who" list of wealthy and famous individuals.

Financially, Hammond had no concerns. He inherited a considerable fortune and his inventions generated substantial profits. Between 1926 and 1929, he built a castle complete with a drawbridge, which served as his home, laboratory, and exhibition hall for his collection of artifacts from ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. The castle continues to function as a museum, hosting various charitable events and gatherings.

John Hammond passed away on February 12, 1965, at the age of 76. In 2004, a biography titled 'Living in the Past, Looking to the Future' was published by John Dandola, a resident of New Jersey who became an expert on the life of the great inventor. Hammond and his castle have since been featured in Dandola's works of fiction.