John Walson Sr., widely regarded as the founder of cable television, is dead of liver cancer. He was 78.
Walson died Saturday in Sacred Heart Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital more than three years ago after suffering a stroke, according to his son, John Walson Jr.In 1979, Congress and the National Cable TV Association recognized Walson's pioneering efforts in television history.
Walson was the owner of an appliance store in Mahanoy City near Allentown in 1947 when he discovered he had trouble selling televisions because the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania interfered with reception.
He erected an antenna tower atop New Boston Mountain overlooking Mahanoy City and ran wire to television sets in his store window.
He added amplifiers to the system the following spring, then persuaded residents to hook up for a $100 installation fee and $2 per month.