Milestones:Interactive Video Games

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Title

Interactive Video Games, 1966

Citation

The "Brown Box" console, developed at Sanders Associates - later BAE Systems - between 1966 and 1968, was the first interactive video game system to use an ordinary home television set. This groundbreaking device and the production-engineered version Magnavox Odyssey game system (1972) spawned the commercialization of interactive console video games, which became a multi-billion dollar industry.

Street address(es) and GPS coordinates of the Milestone Plaque Sites

42.7640789, -71.4581544, 95 Canal St., Nashua, New Hampshire 03064

Details of the physical location of the plaque

The milestone plaque will be mounted on the left pillar (outside) that leads into the front employee/visitor lobby of BAE Systems.

How the intended plaque site is protected/secured

The site is accessible from the visitor parking area. Visitors will not have to go through BAE Systems Security to visit the plaque.

Historical significance of the work

Baer started development of the "Brown Box" console video game system and several other prototypes in 1966 for the defense-electronics company Sanders Associates in Nashua, New Hampshire (now part of BAE Systems). In 1971, it was licensed to Magnavox, and after being renamed Magnavox Odyssey, the console was released to the public in 1972. For a time it was Sanders' most profitable line. Baer's groundbreaking and pioneering work spawned the commercialization of interactive video games.