Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on February 17, 1917, Guillermo González Camarena would become a pioneer in television. An avid young inventor, González Camarena built electronics in his basement laboratory, including his own television camera. Building on his natural talents and curiosity, González Camarena become an electrical engineer.

At only 23 years old, González Camarena patented the Chromoscopic Adapter. The adapter was a system that used three lenses, placed on a black and white television camera, to transmit images in color. His invention was the first patent on color television, and he wanted to use his invention to bring color television to Mexico. His invention caught the attention of American businesses, but because of González Camarena’s love of Mexico, he declined all their offers.

He used his invention to bring color television to as many people as possible when, in 1947, he began the process of starting his own TV channel. His invention had the added benefit of being able to be used with black and white television, all viewers had to do was make a slight adjustment. This easy adjustment meant that viewers didn’t have to buy new televisions just to have color television, making it more affordable and accessible. In 1963 González Camarena’s channel, XE1GC, broadcast its first color image using his Chromoscopic Adapter, making it the first color image in Mexican television.

González Camarena understood the power of television to bring information to the masses, developing television programs for educational purposes, including programs that taught basic first aid. Through his work and service to Mexico, he was awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest civilian order in Mexico.

While his system never became the standard for color television, his legacy continued even after his death when NASA’s Voyager mission used his adapter to make color images of Jupiter.

Author:  Matthew Klaes (Associate at Carlson Caspers)