In the 1970s, a young engineer met with the creator of one of the most iconic video games of all time.
Their conversation inspired the engineer to invent a technology that revolutionized video gaming into the $200B industry it is today.
Here’s what happened in that meeting 🧶👇
Their conversation inspired the engineer to invent a technology that revolutionized video gaming into the $200B industry it is today.
Here’s what happened in that meeting 🧶👇
1) Jerry Lawson was born and raised in Queens, NY. From a young age, his parents supported his early interest in science.
Jerry started repairing TVs and used his earnings to get a ham radio license and build his own radio station, all before high school.
Jerry started repairing TVs and used his earnings to get a ham radio license and build his own radio station, all before high school.
2) He eventually found his way to Silicon Valley working for Fairchild Semiconductor.
As one the few black men in the industry, Jerry was also a proud member of Homebrew Computer Club - a group for the earliest computer hobbyists
(members included Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak)
As one the few black men in the industry, Jerry was also a proud member of Homebrew Computer Club - a group for the earliest computer hobbyists
(members included Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak)
3) One day Jerry, working as a field engineer, was sent to meet with a customer and help them pick electronic parts from Fairfield’s catalogue.
The customer happened to be Al Alcorn, the “father of Pong”
Pong was a smash hit, and Al had become somewhat of a video gaming legend.
The customer happened to be Al Alcorn, the “father of Pong”
Pong was a smash hit, and Al had become somewhat of a video gaming legend.
4) During their conversation, Al shared an issue that he was struggling to fix.
Kids were stealing all the coins from one of the Pong arcade machines in Sunnyvale, CA by using a wire to shock the machine and force it to drop all its change.
Kids were stealing all the coins from one of the Pong arcade machines in Sunnyvale, CA by using a wire to shock the machine and force it to drop all its change.
5) For some context:
Back in the 70s, video games were *very* different than what they are today.
For most gaming systems, the software that contained the actual game with built into the system hardware itself.
Back in the 70s, video games were *very* different than what they are today.
For most gaming systems, the software that contained the actual game with built into the system hardware itself.
6) Jerry didn’t offer any immediate solution to Al.
Rather, he thought quietly to himself about the problem, and asked more questions about Al's journey building Pong.
Rather, he thought quietly to himself about the problem, and asked more questions about Al's journey building Pong.
7) Inspired by meeting the legendary Al Alcorn and intrigued by the problem Al was facing, Jerry went off to his garage.
After months tinkering, he emerged with ‘Demolition Derby’.
His own arcade game, with "coin-defeat" mode that prevented the kids from shocking the machine
After months tinkering, he emerged with ‘Demolition Derby’.
His own arcade game, with "coin-defeat" mode that prevented the kids from shocking the machine
8) Jerry’s bosses at Fairchild got wind of his game and pulled him into their offices. He didn’t expect what was coming next…
They were thrilled.
They'd been hoping to get into the gaming industry and this was their opportunity. Jerry was promoted to Chief Hardware Engineer.
They were thrilled.
They'd been hoping to get into the gaming industry and this was their opportunity. Jerry was promoted to Chief Hardware Engineer.
9) While heading up the new gaming division, Jerry drew further inspiration from "coin-defeat" mode.
What if you could remove the game software itself from the console, without shocking the user?
After months of engineering work, he came up with a prototype.
What if you could remove the game software itself from the console, without shocking the user?
After months of engineering work, he came up with a prototype.
10) The first cartridge-based video game console was born.
Gamers now could buy and play any game they wanted; they didn’t have to stick to the games that physically came embedded in their system.
The video game industry would never be the same.
Gamers now could buy and play any game they wanted; they didn’t have to stick to the games that physically came embedded in their system.
The video game industry would never be the same.
11) If you’ve ever played games on an Atari, Sega, NES/N64, or any system that came after, you’ve got Jerry Lawson to thank.
Jerry Lawson, you truly changed the game.
Jerry Lawson, you truly changed the game.
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