Did You Know? Fact#97
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2024 1:09 pm
Hello Explorers,
The First Video Game Was Invented in 1958—And It Wasn’t Pong! Did You Know?
The birth of video gaming began long before Pong or Space Invaders. Back in 1958, a physicist named William Higinbotham created Tennis for Two, widely considered the first video game. What’s even more surprising is how this revolutionary invention came to life!
How Did It All Start?
Higinbotham, working at Brookhaven National Laboratory, wanted to make science more exciting for visitors. Using an analog computer and an oscilloscope, typically used for visualizing electrical signals, he designed a game that simulated a simple tennis match.
Visitors could control the angle and timing of their shots with knobs and buttons, playing on a 2D screen with a bouncing “ball” represented by a glowing dot.
Why Was Tennis for Two So Special?
First Multiplayer Game: It allowed two players to compete head-to-head—a feature that continues to dominate modern gaming.
Physics-Based Gameplay: The ball’s trajectory was influenced by gravity and wind resistance, offering a realistic experience that was way ahead of its time.
Created for Fun, Not Profit: Unlike today’s gaming giants, Tennis for Two was purely an educational tool, meant to showcase the power of technology and science.Fun Facts About Tennis for Two
Inspired by Missile Technology: Higinbotham used equipment designed for calculating missile paths during World War II to build the game.
Short-Lived Fame: The game was dismantled after the exhibition, and Higinbotham never sought recognition, thinking it was just a minor experiment.
Legacy Lives On: Decades later, it inspired the gaming industry’s early pioneers and laid the groundwork for interactive entertainment as we know it.The story of Tennis for Two reminds us of how gaming originated from creativity and curiosity, transforming into the $200+ billion global powerhouse it is today. Who would have thought that a simple educational display could spark an entire industry?
What’s your favorite piece of gaming history? Share your thoughts below!
