The Brown Box Lightgun, 1967–68

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Object Details

patent holder

Baer, Ralph H.

inventor

Baer, Ralph H.

Description

This toy gun proves that target-shooting games were part of video game history from the very beginning.

This lightgun was used to play the Target Practice game on the “Brown Box,” a prototype for the first multiplayer, multiprogram video game system. Magnavox licensed the Brown Box and released the system as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. The lightgun and four target games were later sold as a separate expansion package.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Ralph H. Baer

Date made

1967-1968

ID Number

2006.0102.06

catalog number

2006.0102.06

accession number

2006.0102

Object Name

lightgun

Physical Description

plastic (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 2 1/2 in x 26 in x 6 in; 6.35 cm x 66.04 cm x 15.24 cm

Related Publication

Baer, Ralph H.. Videogames: In The Beginning

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Medicine and Science: Computers

Popular Entertainment

Baer

Family & Social Life

Computers & Business Machines

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-e670-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1302000