The oldest video game is Tennis for Two, created by American physicist William Higinbotham. It was first introduced on October 18, 1958, at the Brookhaven National Laboratory's annual visitors' days.
The Genesis of Interactive Entertainment
Tennis for Two is widely recognized as the earliest electronic game to use a graphical display. Unlike modern video games, it wasn't played on a TV screen or computer monitor, but on an oscilloscope, which displayed the path of a simulated tennis ball and a side view of a tennis court. Players used controllers with buttons and a rotary knob to control the trajectory of the ball over the net.
Higinbotham designed the game to entertain visitors during an open house at the laboratory, demonstrating the interactive potential of computer technology beyond scientific calculations. This simple yet innovative creation laid a foundational stone for the entire video game industry.
Key Aspects of Tennis for Two
- Creator: William Higinbotham, a physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project.
- Date of Debut: October 18, 1958.
- Display: An oscilloscope, typically used for displaying electrical signals.
- Controls: Custom-built aluminum box controllers with a button to hit the ball and a knob to adjust the angle.
- Purpose: An interactive exhibit to engage the public and showcase technology at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.
A Look at Early Video Game Milestones
While Tennis for Two holds the distinction of being the first graphically displayed electronic game, the definition of "video game" has evolved. Here's how it compares to other significant early developments:
| Game Name | Year | Creator(s) | Key Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennis for Two | 1958 | William Higinbotham | First interactive electronic game with graphical display. |
| Spacewar! | 1962 | Steve Russell et al. | First computer game designed to be played on a minicomputer (PDP-1). |
| Computer Space | 1971 | Nolan Bushnell, Ted Dabney | First arcade video game, commercial product. |
| Pong | 1972 | Allan Alcorn (Atari) | First commercially successful arcade video game; popularized the industry. |
Why Tennis for Two Stands Out
Tennis for Two predates other notable early games like Spacewar! (1962), which was played on a mainframe computer, and the first commercial arcade game, Computer Space (1971). Its use of an electronic display for direct, interactive gameplay makes it a landmark in the history of interactive entertainment, solidifying its place as the oldest video game.
The game demonstrated that computers could be used for more than just complex calculations, paving the way for the entertainment medium we know today.
