The Flash-Matic remote control system was Zenith's first attempt at wireless remote control for its television sets. It worked, but it had problems, not the least of which was that if stray ambient light struck two or more of the photocells at each corner of the CRT simultaneously, the television would go crazy. This is very likely why the Flash-Matic only lasted one model year (1955, IIRC), then was taken off the market and replaced, in 1956 or so, by the ultrasonic Space Command remote system.
I think the little "ray gun" device being offered for auction on eBay is cute, but in reality, any ordinary, common household flashlight would operate Flash-Matic televisions just as well in an emergency, especially if the flashlight had a small, squarish-shaped "flash" button just above the main switch. Set the latter to "flash" and use the flash button to pulse the beam on and off as needed. I wonder how many people who did not know this felt their remote TV didn't work anymore if anything happened to the controller (dead battery, burned-out bulb, etc).
