Computer Tennis: Difference between revisions
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(Added credits, updated galleries, and put more historical context.) |
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{{InfoboxGame | {{InfoboxGame | ||
|image = | |image = ComputerTennis1958.jpg | ||
|developer = William A. Higinbotham, Robert V. Dvorak | |developer = William A. Higinbotham, Robert V. Dvorak | ||
|date = 1958/1959 | |date = 1958/1959 | ||
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|mobygames = https://www.mobygames.com/game/arcade/tennis-for-two}} | |mobygames = https://www.mobygames.com/game/arcade/tennis-for-two}} | ||
''Computer Tennis'' (retroactively known as ''Tennis For Two'') was a game created at the Brookhaven National Laboratories in October | ''Computer Tennis'' (retroactively known as ''Tennis For Two'') was a game initially created at the Brookhaven National Laboratories in October 1958. The simulation ran off of the Donner Model 30 analog computer coupled with custom electronics as a simulation of a basic tennis game with two players. A second version was implemented in 1959 with additional features, before the entire thing was disassembled and largely forgotten. In the 1970s, lawyers part of the Magnavox v. Bally patent lawsuit surfaced the game as an example of prior art. After being championed by journalist [[David Ahl]] as the earliest known video game, the broader public came to understand the game as the origin of real-time video games. | ||
== Development == | == Development Documents == | ||
{{GalleryStart}} | |||
ComputerTennisSchematic01.jpg|The original Computer Tennis | {{GalleryCard | ||
|file=ComputerTennisSchematic01.jpg | |||
|title=Computer Tennis Schematic | |||
|date=October 15, 1958 | |||
|country=US | |||
|description=The original schematic for ''Computer Tennis'', created by Robert Dvorak. Labelled "Tennis Programming", it outlines the circuits used to interface with the Donner Model 30 computer to create the demonstration. | |||
}} | |||
{{GalleryCard | |||
|file=ComputerTennisSchematic02.jpg | |||
|title=Computer Tennis Schematic | |||
|date=November 18, 1958 | |||
|country=US | |||
|description=Schematic for the controllers of ''Computer Tennis'' labeled "Electronic Switch for Tennis Programming". (It is mislabeled at 1959) | |||
}} | |||
{{GalleryCard | |||
|file=ComputerTennisLogBook.jpg | |||
|title=Brookhaven Laboratories Logbook | |||
|date=1959 | |||
|country=US | |||
|description=A page from the logbook of Brookhaven Laboratories showcasing the two entries by Robert Dvorak relating to ''Computer Tennis''. | |||
}} | |||
{{GalleryEnd}} | |||
== Photos | == Photos == | ||
{{GalleryStart}} | |||
ComputerTennis1958.jpg| | {{GalleryCard | ||
ComputerTennis1959.jpg| | |file=ComputerTennis1958.jpg | ||
|title=Computer Tennis at Brookhaven Laboratories (1958) | |||
|date=1958 | |||
|country=US | |||
|description=A photo of Brookhaven Laboratories' line-up of demonstrations showcased at their annual visitors day in 1958. ''Computer Tennis'' is on an oscilloscope second from the left behind a table with the controller devices. The Donner Model 30 powering the game sits on the far left. | |||
}} | |||
{{GalleryCard | |||
|file=ComputerTennis1959.jpg | |||
|title=Computer Tennis at Brookhaven Laboratories (1959) | |||
|date=1959 | |||
|country=US | |||
|description=A photo focusing on the second version of ''Computer Tennis'' in the line-up of Brookhaven Laboratories demonstrations in 1959. The new version has a larger oscilloscope display, a title card, and a placard with an educational explanation. | |||
}} | |||
{{GalleryEnd}} | |||
== Game credits == | |||
{{Credits begin}} | |||
{{Credits line|Game Designer, Hardware Designer = William Higinbotham}} | |||
{{Credits line|Hardware Designer = Robert Dvorak}} | |||
{{Credits end}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 21:24, 13 February 2025
Computer Tennis (retroactively known as Tennis For Two) was a game initially created at the Brookhaven National Laboratories in October 1958. The simulation ran off of the Donner Model 30 analog computer coupled with custom electronics as a simulation of a basic tennis game with two players. A second version was implemented in 1959 with additional features, before the entire thing was disassembled and largely forgotten. In the 1970s, lawyers part of the Magnavox v. Bally patent lawsuit surfaced the game as an example of prior art. After being championed by journalist David Ahl as the earliest known video game, the broader public came to understand the game as the origin of real-time video games.
Development Documents[edit]
Photos[edit]
Computer Tennis at Brookhaven Laboratories (1958)
🇺🇸 1958
🇺🇸 1958
A photo of Brookhaven Laboratories' line-up of demonstrations showcased at their annual visitors day in 1958. Computer Tennis is on an oscilloscope second from the left behind a table with the controller devices. The Donner Model 30 powering the game sits on the far left.
Game credits[edit]
- Game Designer, Hardware Designer
- William Higinbotham
- Hardware Designer
- Robert Dvorak
