Rignoux and Fournier Scheme 

One of the early suggestions had for its fundamental principle a surface studded with thousands 
of "selenium cells" each a part of an individual circuit,and upon which a picture was projected. The idea
was that the different cells would transmit a different value of current with each different intensity of
light which made up the picture.

At the distant station a given surface had a corresponding number of tiny lamps, each attached to its
respective cell at the sending station, and being lighted thereby the ensemble would reproduce the
distant picture.

The scheme is possible but hardly practical, for if only fifty lines per inch each way were sufficient
on a picture but one foot square, there would have to be three hundred and sixty thousand cells at the
sending end, and a like number of lamps at the receiving end, each but one-fiftieth of an inch in diameter. 
Such a problem would seem to present difficulties, though the author himself in the bravery of ignorance 
suggested this very scheme in the Electrical Engineer, of July 25, 1894.

From Jenkins, Vision by Radio, 1925

"By radio we shall see what is happening in a distant place ; inaugural ceremonies, football, baseball or polo 
games; flower festival, mardi gras, or baby parade. 

So when the development of radio as a service to the eye has progressed to a like extent with ear- 
service radio, we will bring the entire opera to your home in both acting and music, or even the Olympic 
games from across the sea. 

It has been most satisfying to have had a part in the development of this wonderful medium of contact between individuals and between nations. My 
part being principally visual radio, I expect great things from Radio Vision. 

And did you ever notice the curious fact that a great laboratory, despite its inestimable contributions to science and engineering, has never yet brought 
forth a great, revolutionary invention which has subsequently started a new industry, like the telegraph, 
telephone, and telescope; motion picture, typecasting and talking machines; typewriter, bicycle and loco 
motive; automobile, flying machine, and radio vision. 

It has always been a poor man to first see these things, and as a rule the bigger the vision the poorer 
the man. 

And, do you know, that is right comforting, too; for I sometimes think that perhaps I myself may yet 
do something worth while if I only stay poor enough, long enough. "

http://www.archive.org/stream/visionbyradiorad00jenkrich/visionbyradiorad00jenkrich_djvu.txt