WATERLOO - A 50th birthday is a milestone for just about everybody. Imagine turning 50 when your claim to fame is that you've influenced the way people live, work and play across the globe.

Fifty years ago, the first true wireless television remote control was born. Called the Zenith Space Command, it used ultrasonic waves to power the TV on and off, change the channel and raise or lower volume.

There were two remotes introduced prior to the Space Command, but both had serious limitations. The technology used for the Space Command lasted for more than 20 years before new technology improved the way it does its job.

Pulse sat down with the remote control to chat about what it means for a cultural icon like itself to hit the big 5-0.

Pulse: How do you feel about turning 50?

Remote: Fifty's just a number. And if I've got nothing else, I've got numbers. People take this whole birthday thing way too seriously. I have to laugh about it. But then again, I don't have their wrinkles and gray hair either.

Pulse: That's true. You really have gotten better as you've aged. What's your secret?

Remote: No secrets, man. Just a love for what I do. Not that I haven't had some help. There are talented men and women all over the world who are constantly figuring out better ways to use me. There is no way I could have figured out that whole picture-in-picture thing on my own. Really, my joy springs from wanting and doing what's best for mankind. And if that means working overtime for people who feel the need to have more than 500 channels, then that's what I'll do. Shoot, I'd flip through a thousand channels if that's what it takes.

Pulse: You disappear so many times a day. Where do you go?

Remote: It's not me. Although control is my last name, I have none in the hands of careless TV viewers. I'm tossed, lobbed, dropped and rolled to various parts of the house. I've even ended up in the freezer at the hands of a woman scorned. She was distraught and looking for some serious Ben & Jerry's. It was a chilly hour before she discovered her mistake. The worst, though, is when I get stuck between the couch cushions. Can you imagine the view from there? Don't even go there, man.

Pulse: What really pushes your buttons?

Remote: People who are never satisfied with watching one show at a time. The constant channel surfing really rubs me the wrong way, you know? One time, I had the 5 rubbed right off me. It was irritating, not to mention a little embarrassing. I mean, company comes over, and here I am, sitting out on the coffee table with no 5 on. Downright humiliating.

Pulse: How do you respond to accusations that you're responsible for the obesity epidemic in the U.S.?

Remote: I get asked that all the time and frankly, I'm a little sick of it. Let's put the responsibility where it belongs. When's the last time you heard someone called a "remote control potato?" Never, right? They're called "couch potatoes" for a reason. So don't you think the couch bears a little responsibility here? And people act as if I'm the only thing people occupy themselves with while they're on the couch. Why aren't books getting some of the blame here? People do a whole lot of reading on the sofa, but nobody ever mentions books as part of the problem. What, so books get a break because they're supposed to make you smarter? I beg to differ. Anybody read Ann Coulter's "Godless: The Church of Liberalism?"

Pulse: I see we've pushed another button.

Remote: Darn right. Next question.

Pulse: You're notorious for causing disputes between men and women. Why are you such a point of contention in so many relationships?

Remote: It's all about control, of course. Men want it. Women want it. I've got it. And whoever has me, has it - you follow?

Pulse: But isn't it about different program tastes?

Remote: That's what people say. But I've got a behind-the-screen vantage that tells a different story. Do you know how many men tune in to Home and Garden Television during half-time? And I've seen many a woman sneak a peak at "American Chopper" when their men aren't home. So in the end, I think, it really is about control.

Pulse: What does the future hold for you? Where do you see yourself in another 50 years?

Remote: Well, as you know, these days I'm pretty universal. About the only things I can't control are the weather, people, plants and animals. I imagine that technology will someday try to move me in that direction, but I'm not so sure I want that. Some things are best left to nature, you know?

Pulse: So you're not aiming for world domination, then?

Remote: Nope. I'm happy just aiming at the TV. Forever and always.

{M3Remote rundown

1950 - The Lazy Bone remote is introduced by Zenith. It was connected to the TV by a cord. What people were watching: "The Lone Ranger"

1955 - The Zenith "FlashMatic" is born. It emitted a ray of light that reacted with a sensor on the TV. It often wouldn't work in the daylight hours because of interference from sun rays coming through windows. What people were watching: "I Love Lucy"

1956 - The first true wireless remote, Zenith's "Space Command", using ultrasonic waves, was introduced. What people were watching: "The Ed Sullivan Show"

1974 - Philips introduces the first wireless remote with random access tuning. What people were watching: "Sanford and Son"

Early 1980s - The first infrared remote is introduced, using infrared light waves that overcame the deficiencies of the 1955 FlashMatic. What people were watching: "Three's Company"

1987 - The first universal remote is introduced, allowing people to operate their TV, VCR and stereo from the same remote control. What people were watching: "The Cosby Show"