In 1972, on televisions across the country, two white lines appeared on opposite sides of a virtual court. A square “ball” bounced back and forth between these lines. These televisions were connected to the Magnavox Odyssey, and were playing the first version of Pong. The Odyssey was the first home video game console, and pong its most famous game. Wrapped in today’s stunning graphics, immersive environments, and expansive games, we forget this strange journey into the unreal began only half a lifetime ago.
