Odyssey:Scene History

This page outlines major points in the Magnavox Odyssey's history.

1951

Ralph H. Baer (engineer) has the idea to build a television set that the owner can control in addition to its normal function of receiving signals from a remote television station. His employers, Loral Electronics do not pursue the idea.

1966

August: Baer, then the head of the Equipment Design Division at military contractor Sanders Associates, comes up with the concept of using a television to play games; writes up a four-page proposal for a "game box" that would plug into a television screen, costing around US$25

December: Baer, together with one of his technicians, Bob Tremblay, completes an initial prototype later christened "TV Game #1", which could display and move a vertical line on a television screen.

1967

February: Baer