The Magnavox Odyssey was the world’s first home video game console, released on May 24, 1972. Developed by engineer Ralph H. Baer and his team, it laid the foundation for the entire video game industry. This groundbreaking device predated Atari’s Pong and introduced the concept of interactive entertainment in the home.

The console itself featured a minimalist white and black design and came equipped with two wired controllers that used knobs to move game elements vertically and horizontally. It didn’t have sound, color graphics, or even on-screen scoring. Instead, players would use game cards inserted into the console to change the game mode, and transparent screen overlays placed on the TV to simulate backgrounds for different games.

Among the 28 games released for the Odyssey, the most popular was a table tennis game that directly inspired the creation of Pong. Although limited by today’s standards, the Odyssey’s innovation and historical significance are undeniable. It marked the beginning of home gaming and paved the way for decades of technological advancement in the industry.