Marvin Middlemark

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Marvin P. Middlemark

Photo of Marvin Middlemark
Born September 16, 1919
New York
Died 1989
Occupation Inventor

Marvin P. Middlemark (Born September 16, 1919 – Died September 1989) invented the Rabbit Ears television Antenna (Dipole antenna) in 1956 in Rego Park, Queens, New York.

Marvin P. Middlemark revolutionized how television was watched in the United States, as his Rabbit Ears increased the television signal reception made available to the mass market, this move is considered by many as the single most important reason for the television boom of the late 1950’s – 1960’s. Middlemark sold his firm for $9 million in the mid 1960’s.

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[edit] His inventions

Marvin P. Middlemark held several patents for his inventions, many were lesser known then his famed Rabbit Ears; such as: A water powered potato peeler (which failed because when done, a large potato was reduced down to the size of a large marble.) And a tennis ball rejuvenator that was designed to bring the bounce back to used tennis balls.

A Rabbit Ears Television
A Rabbit Ears Television


In the mid 1960’s NASA turned to Middlemark to develop the technology needed that would allowed the original Apollo missions to communicate from the Moon Lander to Mission control. Middlemark was able to solve this problem; NASA was not able to using the same theoretical principals of his dipole antenna.

[edit] His collections

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At the time of his death in 1989, the inventor’s mansion in Old Westbury, NY was home to a collection that included 2 cathedral size buildings on his property to display his collection of religious stained glass windows and even commissioned pieces displaying the likenesses of Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein. Middlemark was also an animal enthusiast, as his lifetime hobbies included Belmont winning race horses, nine miniature horses (Middlemark is credited with the introduction of the miniature horses and miniature donkeys into the United States, bringing them in from Argentina), and even a chimpanzee who lived in Middlemark’s house and was known to answer the front door of his home and got soused[clarify] at parties.

[edit] Philanthropist

Middlemark donated millions to various educational foundations and trusts in a goal to give under-privilege students the ability to attend college. He was also known as a major giver to the New York area homeless shelters and at the time of his death 15,000 pairs of gloves which he personally ordered from China were delivered as his final act of giving.

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[edit] Patents