I made a remote control for my Portable TV, Before remote controls really existed.
My dad owns a garage and back in the early 80's shifted more of car-related-product-x than anyone else in the area. He won a black and white portable TV as a reward, which he gave to me on the understanding that if we had a power cut (frequent in them days) he'd use it as the main TV (as it also ran off a car battery)

Back then we didn't have central heating so it was bloody cold in the house and as it only ran off a portable TV aerial the signal would often tune out, requiring constant visits to the TV at the other side of the bedroom.

Something had to be done.

As this TV changed channels using a rotary dial, rather than any pre-tuned push-button scenario I hatched a plan.

Using long plastic twine, blu-tak & some cunningly placed hooks in the ceiling beams I was able to fashion a pulley system that allowed me to rotate the tuner from the comfort of my Top Bunk. When I was ready to sleep I pulled on some boot laces that were tied together and attached to the plug socket. A swift yank would cut the power for the night.

Sadly that's probably the first and last thing I'd consider an incredible project in my life. Apart from the time when I managed to stop my bum sphincter from tightening up and managed to curl out the LONGEST shit I've ever seen.
( Airman Gabber Living life like a 70's BBC presenter, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 15:16, 2 replies)

Wallace
and Gromit Would be proud of you ( See Cracking contraptions)
(Mackeson_drinker, Fri 18 Nov 2011, 9:16, closed)

Proud of the TV remote...
...or the massively long rope he coiled off?

"Cracking crap, Grommit!"
(Harry Webshiter Spiggley biggley bog., Sat 19 Nov 2011, 23:50, closed)