The Play

The History: Sorkin’s Artistic License

It raises a question and it also raises a problem, which is that, as I said, my first, if not only, obligation is to entertain. A news organization has a much different responsibility. I might not be telling you the whole story. I might not be telling you a story in a manner that is properly sophisticated. I would hate for anyone to limit the scope of their education on a subject to me. And, frankly, every teacher I’ve ever had in my life would agree with what I’ve just said.
— Aaron Sorkin, in an interview with Terrence Smith, Newshour, PBS, Sept. 27, 2000

It is the prerogative of the playwright to adjust circumstances of history to make a good play that can be performed in a couple hours. In The Farnsworth Invention, there are numerous places where the story differs from the facts. Sarnoff and his family were not run out of their home by Cossacks, but Sarnoff did see Cossacks beating people in a crowd before he left the country. Various characters have been condensed or assigned different roles than they actually played. And the timeline is often compressed. Farnsworth’s light problem is exaggerated. Farnsworth’s alcohol consumption only became problematic later in his life. Pem was not a smoker. There are many details that Sorkin has altered for the purposes of the play. The most significant change, for which Sorkin has been criticized, is changing the outcome of the patent trial.

Historically, Farnsworth was awarded priority of invention on his television system patent and RCA paid royalties to Farnsworth. However, the lawsuit took up precious years of the time on his patent, and because his factory converted to making equipment for the government during World War II, Farnsworth had limited time to see the benefit of his patents before their 17-year term ran out.

In spite of these vital differences from the actual history, RCA and Sarnoff did try to prevent Farnsworth from working with competitors, and Zworykin did visit Farnsworth’s lab under false pretenses. Farnsworth was spent by the effort of creating the television, the legal battles, and the death of his son, and he suffered a nervous breakdown. Sarnoff did have a “get around Farnsworth team” and he engaged in battles with Armstrong not only over A.M. and F.M. radio, but also over color television. The struggle for television was certainly still one of an inventor with a small team against a corporation, and that struggle is captured by the play.

Behind the Scenes

Click this link to hear WPR’s “University of the Air” episode on “The Farnsworth Invention!” Director Jennifer Uphoff Gray, Frank Honts, Nicholas Harazin and Liz Cassarino talk about the show and read a few scenes.

Click here to read about actor Nicholas Harazin who plays Philo T. Farnsworth.