After obtaining a science degree, Baird took an engineering job. He didn't like it and gave up at the age of 26 and decided to be an inventor. He spent nearly 10 years producing failed inventions. At 35 he had a good idea. He started work on a machine to transmit pictures, as well as sound, by using radio. He started out using bits and pieces from scrap yards, and built a mechanical machine which transmitted pictures. He obtained plenty of funding to develop his idea, but the BBC chose an electronic system developed by Marconi-EMI which gave sharper pictures. Nevertheless, Baird died having made a lasting impact on the world as the 'father of television'.
