The First Video Game Ever Created (It Wasn’t Pong)
The First Video Game Ever Created (It Wasn’t Pong)
A Forgotten Pioneer in Digital Entertainment
When most people think of the origins of video games, the iconic Pong from 1972 immediately comes to mind. However, the true genesis of interactive digital entertainment predates this Atari classic by nearly two decades. The honor of being the first video game belongs to a humble but groundbreaking creation called Tennis for Two, developed in 1958 by physicist William Higinbotham at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
The Accidental Birth of an Industry
Unlike today’s meticulously planned game development cycles, Tennis for Two emerged almost by accident. Higinbotham sought to create an interactive exhibit to liven up the laboratory’s annual visitor day. Using an analog computer and oscilloscope display, he crafted a simple tennis simulation where two players could volley a ball over a net using custom controllers with buttons and rotating dials. The game’s physics—complete with realistic ball trajectories and net collisions—were remarkably sophisticated for its time.
A Technological Marvel of Its Era
The hardware behind this pioneering game was revolutionary in 1958:
- An analog computer smaller than a modern microwave
- A five-inch oscilloscope display
- Two custom aluminum controllers
- Carefully calibrated circuitry simulating gravity
Visitors lined up for hours to experience this novel entertainment, completely unaware they were witnessing the dawn of a multi-billion dollar industry. The game’s popularity was immediate, with players quickly developing competitive strategies despite the simple mechanics.
Lost to History, Then Rediscovered
After two successful years at Brookhaven’s visitor days, Tennis for Two was dismantled and nearly forgotten as Higinbotham moved on to other projects. It wasn’t until the 1970s, during video game patent lawsuits, that his creation resurfaced as prior art. Today, recreations of the original hardware exist in several museums, allowing modern audiences to experience this seminal piece of digital history.
The Legacy of a Simple Idea
While Pong certainly popularized video games, Tennis for Two represents the true origin point of interactive electronic entertainment. Higinbotham never patented his invention, considering it just “a cute idea” rather than a commercial product. Yet his modest exhibit planted the seed for what would become one of the world’s most dominant entertainment mediums—proving that great revolutions often begin with simple innovations.
