You can leisurely change channels while comfortably sitting on the couch thanks to an Illinois inventor. Eugene Polley, an engineer at Chicago-based Zenith Electronics, created the first wireless TV remote control in 1955.

Polley was a Chicago native who attended the City Colleges of Chicago and the Armour Institute of Technology—now the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In 1935, he we went to work for Zenith as a stock boy earning 40 cents an hour. He worked his way up through the company and in 1955 designed the Flash-Matic wireless remote.

The Flash-Matic used a beam of visible light to turn a TV on and off and to change channels. Later styles of remotes used sound and eventually infrared light.

He received a $1,000 bonus for his invention, and in 1997, Polley and a team of engineers received an Emmy for their pioneering work.

Learn more:
New York Times on Eugene Polley

The Second City comedy troupe debuted 56 years ago today at a former laundromat on Chicago’s North Side. Since their first performance, Second City has become known worldwide and produced popular comedic artists including Dan Aykroyd to John Belushi and Bill Murray.

In 1976, Second City started a late-night television show with John Candy, Harold Ramis and George Wendt. A host of Second City comedians have performed on “Saturday Night Live,” beginning almost immediately after the show debuted in the mid-1970s.

Today, Second City performs at comedy clubs in Chicago, Southern California and Toronto, Canada.

Learn more:
Read more about the history of The Second City

Former pro football player and current analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America” Rodney Harrison was born December 15, 1972 in Markham. Harrison attended Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, where he starred under legendary coach Dave Mattio. After starting for three years as safety for Marian, Harrison earned a scholarship to play at Western Illinois University, where he became an All-American.

Harrison was drafted in the 5th round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and went on to become the starting safety as rookie. The 1994-95 Chargers went on to play in Super Bowl XXIX against the San Francisco 49ers. Following the 2002 season, Harrison signed with the New England Patriots and subsequently won two Super Bowls with the team and playing in a fourth in 2008.

Harrison retired in 2009 and joined NBC Sports’ “Football Night in America.” Harrison ended his career as a two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Pro Bowler and as one of only 12 players in the history of the NFL to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career.

Learn more:
Rodney Harrison’s biography
Read more about Harrison’s stats during his NFL career here

The Shedd Aquarium first opened its doors on May 30, 1930, after years of planning and a generous $2 million donation by John G. Shedd, a Chicago businessman who led Marshall Field & Co. to become the largest wholesale and dry goods company in the world.

Since opening 85 years ago, the aquarium has undergone several expansions and upgrades. Abbott Oceanarium opened in 1991 and is home to beluga whales, sea lions and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Shedd’s newest attraction, Wild Reef, features sharks, stingrays and vast coral exhibits.

Roughly two million patrons visit the Shedd Aquarium each year.

Learn more:
Read more about the history and historic architecture of Shedd Aquarium
To vote for the name of Shedd’s newest Pacific white-sided dolphin, click here

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, known as Chance the Rapper, was born in Chicago on April 16, 1993. Chance grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended Jones College Prep High School. He recorded his first mixtape while still in high school, releasing his second mixtape two years later in 2013. He released his first studio album, a collaborative album titled Surf, on May 28 of this year.

Learn more:
Read more about Chance the Rapper’s appearance on this week’s Saturday Night Live