The Brown Box Lightgun, 1967–68

Description:

This toy gun proves that target-shooting games were part of video game history from the very beginning.

This lightgun was used to play the Target Practice game on the “Brown Box,” a prototype for the first multiplayer, multiprogram video game system. Magnavox licensed the Brown Box and released the system as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. The lightgun and four target games were later sold as a separate expansion package.

Date Made: 1967-1968

Patent Holder: Baer, Ralph H.Inventor: Baer, Ralph H.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Computers, Popular Entertainment, Baer, Family & Social Life, Computers & Business Machines

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Baer, Ralph H.. Videogames: In The Beginning

Credit Line: Ralph H. Baer

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2006.0102.06Catalog Number: 2006.0102.06Accession Number: 2006.0102

Object Name: lightgun

Physical Description: plastic (overall material)Measurements: overall: 2 1/2 in x 26 in x 6 in; 6.35 cm x 66.04 cm x 15.24 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-e670-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1302000

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