NATIONAL VCR DAY JUNE 7
On June 7th, National VCR Day takes a look a the device that revolutionized the home movie-watching experience. The observance recognizes the video cassette recorder (VCR), a device that, in its time, was a marvel of technology!
#NationalVCRDay
The VCR is an electro-mechanical device that records analog audio and analog video from television on a removable, magnetic tape videocassette. Images and sound can then be played back at a more convenient time. Charles Ginsburg was an American engineer at Ampex which developed one of the first practical videotape recorders in 1956.
The first home video recorder?
The Telcan became the first home video recorder to be produced and demonstrated on June 24, 1963.
In 1970, the home video cassette format (VHS) launched, creating a booming mass-marking throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. At the time, the VCR was the primary way to watch movies at home. Millions of people created their own personal movie libraries.
Over 10 billion videotapes remain today. Full of recorded memories, these keepsakes hold treasures for millions of people around the world. More and more, people are preserving these memories in a more stable format. This trend continues to be important as the years pass, too. Companies like Zoovio, Inc. provide several options to preserve your precious memories. Options include converting to a DVD or storage in an online private vault, making them available for viewing and sharing on internet-connected devices, including TVs.
HOW TO OBSERVE National VCR Day
How many home movies do you have on VCR cassettes at home? Share your memories using #NationalVCRDay to post on social media. And check out Zoovio to digitalize your old VCR cassettes of family memories and preserve those memories on the web with your very own online video vault!
NATIONAL VCR DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this technology day. In the meantime, check out these other retro days:
- Retro Day
- Video Games Day
- World Television Day
- Kool-Aid Days
June 7th Celebrated History
1913
British mountain climber Hudson Stuck successfully leads the first team to the summit of Denali. Located in Alaska, the mountain is the highest point on the American continent.
1971
The U.S. Supreme Court cites protection under the First Amendment when it overturns Paul Cohen’s conviction for disturbing the peace when he wore a jacket with vulgar language protesting the draft.
1982
Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee opens to the public. The home of Elvis Presley became an iconic tourist attraction.
1979
Texas becomes the first state to declare Juneteenth a holiday.
1980
The U.S. government dedicated its first solar power plant at Natural Bridge National Monument in Utah. The array of over 250,000 solar cells provided power to the park’s facilities
June 7th Celebrated Birthdays
Amelia Blanford Edwards – 1831
The British Egyptologist dedicated her career to the study of Egyptian monuments and preserving them.
Virginia Apgar – 1909
Nearly every parent of a newborn child can thank American Anesthesiologist Virginia Apgar for the scoring system doctors use to evaluate an infant soon after birth. The assessment helps determine if the baby needs immediate medical attention.
Gwendolyn Brooks – 1917
Gwendolyn Brooks earned a Pulitzer Prize for her poem Annie Allen, making her the first black author to win the prize.
Prince Rogers Nelson – 1958
With hits like “When Doves Cry” and “1999,” Prince earned a pop music and R&B reputation that was undeniable. Both as an artist and entertainer, the seven-time Grammy winner delivered stellar performances time after time.