Students at Stanford University playing Galaxy 1977 Credit: Electronic Engineering Times
Galaxy
1971
Computer Recreations Inc., United States
Galaxy was one of the first coin-operated video games. Using a DEC PDP-11/20 minicomputer, designers Bill Pitts and Hugh Tuck produced a reprogrammed version of the classic SpaceWar! game. The original machines were installed in Stanford University’s Tressider Student Union in September 1971 and quickly became tremendously popular. From 1972 to 1979, Tressider had a second version of the game, featured here, that could include up to four displays. Galaxy was re-installed at Stanford in the William Gates Computer Science Building from 1997 to 2000.
Computer Space Gift of Alan Rifkin, X1025.90
Computer Space promotional photo c. 1971 Credit: Nutting Associates Inc.
Computer Space
1971
Nutting Associates Inc., United States
In 1971, Nolan Bushnell developed a commercial version of the classic video game, SpaceWar!, originally developed on the PDP-1 in 1962. Bushnell called his invention Computer Space and it became the first commercial arcade video game. Computer Space pitted solo players against alien spaceships or two competing players against each other.
Although Computer Space did not sell well, it was noted for both its game design and futuristic cabinet. Bushnell later founded Atari Computer Corporation.
