Robert J. Tarlton, a Lansford man who pioneered the development of the cable television industry, will accept an award for the late Hon. Milton J. Shapp, former governor of Pennsylvania, during the First Cable Television Hall of Fame Program in celebration of the 50th anniversary of cable television.

Tarlton accepted the award in place of Shapp's widow, Muriel.He founded the Panther Valley Television Company in 1950, which is recognized as the first commercial cable system designed to install and operate exclusively as a service company, and later went to work for Shapp, who owned Jerrold Electronics, Philadelphia, setting up a cable system in the Williamsport area for the firm.