Slideshows

Consumer Electronics Show Milestones

CES Through the Years

Since the first Consumer Electronics Show took place in New York City in 1967, CES has been the place to show off new technology and products, from the VCR to the DVD. Even though no one product has been of such revolutionary proportion in recent years, there's been a wider array of innovative technology. This year experts are expecting small netbooks, Internet-ready televisions and TV’s made with energy-efficient and thinner organic light-emitting diode screens to attract the most attention. He
Photo: Juho Paasonen

Since the first Consumer Electronics Show took place in New York City in 1967, CES has been the place to show off new technology and products, from the VCR to the DVD. Even though no one product has been of such revolutionary proportion in recent years, there's been a wider array of innovative technology. This year experts are expecting 3-D TVs, e-readers and netbooks to be hot topics.

Here's a look at several milestones at the industry event over the years.

Videocassette Recorder

The VCR made its debut in 1970, but it didn’t achieve mass-market success until a decade later. The VCR lost its place as the most popular playback device in the early 2000’s as Americans replaced it with a DVD player. »»
Photo: iStockphoto

The VCR made its debut in 1970, but it didn’t achieve mass-market success until a decade later. The VCR lost its place as the most popular playback device in the early 2000’s as Americans replaced it with a DVD player.

Compact Disc Player and Camcorder

The Consumer Electronics Show of 1981 saw the introduction of two popular products: the camcorder and the CD player. »»
Photo: CNBC.com Illustration

The Consumer Electronics Show of 1981 saw the introduction of two popular products: the camcorder and the CD player.

Nintendo Entertainment System

Released in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System went on to become one of the best selling video game consoles of all time. »»
Photo: Tony Case

Released in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System went on to become one of the best selling video game consoles of all time.

DVD

Debuting in 1996, the DVD presented a new way to store data and video. By 2003, the DVD had become the standard way to view video content, replacing VHS. »»
Photo: johnmuk

Debuting in 1996, the DVD presented a new way to store data and video. By 2003, the DVD had become the standard way to view video content, replacing VHS.

High-Definition Television

With greater resolution and definition, HDTV was introduced in 1998. »»

With greater resolution and definition, HDTV was introduced in 1998.

Satellite Radio

Satellite radio made its debut in 2000, offering an alternative to the traditional AM/FM signals.»»
Photo: Juho Paasonen

Satellite radio made its debut in 2000, offering an alternative to the traditional AM/FM signals.

Xbox

Microsoft moved into the gaming market for the first time in 2001, introducing the Xbox. »»
Photo: Ed Schwehm

Microsoft moved into the gaming market for the first time in 2001, introducing the Xbox.

Blu-ray Disc

The Blu-ray Disc, introduced as a successor to regular DVDs in 2003, was locked in a format war with HD-DVD for years. At the 2008 CES, Warner Brothers announced it would no longer release their films on HD-DVD, signaling the victory of Blu-ray. »»
Photo: Reid Ellis

The Blu-ray Disc, introduced as a successor to regular DVDs in 2003, was locked in a format war with HD-DVD for years. At the 2008 CES, Warner Brothers announced it would no longer release their films on HD-DVD, signaling the victory of Blu-ray.

HD Radio

HD Radio, a technology that allows AM and FM radio stations to simulcast digitally, was introduced in 2004. Currently, the majority of radio stations in the United States use this technology. »»
Photo: iLuv

HD Radio, a technology that allows AM and FM radio stations to simulcast digitally, was introduced in 2004. Currently, the majority of radio stations in the United States use this technology.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode TV

Sony introduced the first OLED TV for the U.S. market at the 2008 CES show. Other companies are expected to announce more of the thin, power-saving TVs this year. »»»
Photo: Sony

Sony introduced the first OLED TV for the U.S. market at the 2008 CES show. Other companies are expected to announce more of the thin, power-saving TVs this year.