The CRT Amusement Device was an experimental electronic game design patented by Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann in the late 1940s. It let a player steer a cathode-ray tube beam toward target images, but it was never commercially manufactured. It is an important precursor to video games—not a documented commercial product that launched the arcade industry.
What was the CRT Amusement Device?
Goldsmith and Mann’s design combined a cathode-ray tube, electronic circuitry, and player-operated controls. The player adjusted the path of a moving beam to aim at target images, which could be pictures placed over the screen. When the beam reached a target position, defocusing it created the effect of an explosion. The patent describes an analog electronic system, not a game running as software on a digital computer. The U.S. patent record documents the design.
When was it invented and patented?
Goldsmith and Mann filed their patent application on January 25, 1947. U.S. Patent 2,455,992 was published on December 14, 1948, and names Allen B. du Mont Laboratories, Inc. as the original assignee. Those dates establish the design’s place in the history of electronic play; they do not mark the start of a commercial video-game market.
Was it the first video game?
That depends on what counts as a video game. The CRT Amusement Device is reasonably described as an early interactive electronic game or CRT game design. The History of Information describes it as probably the oldest interactive electronic game, while noting that it was never commercially manufactured. Because it used an analog beam-and-circuit system rather than digital game software, calling it the definitive first video game can obscure the distinction between different kinds of early experiments. History of Information’s account provides that historical framing.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Arcade Experience: Enjoy 12 legendary games from 1981 on a full-size cabinet with real-feel joysticks, buttons, and authentic arcade-style gameplay
- Vibrant 17" Display: Features a crisp BOE 17" LCD screen that brings retro graphics to life with bright colors and sharp details for immersive gaming fun
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Connect to Wi-Fi and compete with players nationwide by posting high scores on global leaderboards—no subscription required
- Premium Retro Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek cabinet, light-up marquee, and faux coin door for a nostalgic look that enhances any game room or space
- Crisp Stereo Sound: Dual speakers deliver classic arcade soundtracks and effects just like you remember, bringing every game to life with rich audio
Did it spawn the commercial video-game industry?
The patent predates commercial video games by decades, but the available historical accounts do not establish that it directly influenced the products that followed. And because the device was never commercially manufactured, it was not a product that itself opened a market.
New Atlas identifies Computer Space, created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, as the first commercially sold coin-operated video game, in 1971. Its retrospective also mentions the Magnavox Odyssey and Pong as later milestones. This chronology makes the CRT design an early antecedent, not proof of a direct causal line from Goldsmith and Mann to the arcade business. New Atlas’s 2011 retrospective is the source for that commercial-history account.
Rank #2
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play Mortal Kombat I–3, Ultimate MK3, and 10 more retro hits like Rampage, Paperboy, and Gauntlet for nonstop arcade action
- Authentic Arcade Feel: Real-feel joysticks, responsive buttons, and dual speakers deliver a true arcade experience in the comfort of your home
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor showcases every detail, from pixel-perfect punches to vibrant retro graphics, just like the original machines
- Wi-Fi With Multiplayer: Compete online with friends or players across the country using built-in Wi-Fi leaderboards and online multiplayer features
- Premium Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek finish, light-up marquee, and molded faux coin door for a nostalgic look that stands out in any room
How did later games demonstrate the industry’s scale?
New Atlas reported in 2011 that Space Invaders had sold more than 360,000 units worldwide and generated more than US$1 billion in revenue by 1981. Those are figures attributed to that retrospective, not measurements in the CRT patent or current market statistics. They illustrate the scale the commercial industry later reached, but they do not show that the 1940s device caused that growth.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Nostalgia-Inspired Arcade Cocktail Table: Ms. PAC-MAN arcade cocktail table showcases a 2-player control panel that allows you to relive classic arcade games with friends and family; Recommended for ages 14 and up
- Features 12 Classic Games: Ms. PAC-MAN, Galaga, Dig Dug, Mappy, The Tower of Druaga, Rompers, Rally X, Rolling Thunder, Dig Dug II, Galaxian, PAC -Mania, and Galaga '88
- Illuminated Control Deck: Creating a mesmerizing visual experience that captures the essence of arcade culture, the illuminated control deck adds a modern touch to the vintage design
- Table Design Features: Comes with a 17-inch color LCD screen, 2 control panels, 1 speaker on each side, adjustable volume control, an AC adaptor, 2 clear deck protectors, and a clear protective top surface
- Assembly Required: Assembly is a breeze with clear instructions and pre-assembled components; Dimensions: 23.5"L x 35.98"W x 28.97"H; Weight: 64.3 pounds
Rank #4
- Design: Professional craftsmanship is the name of the game - we take arcades seriously and build each unit to order right here in the USA - we paint and assemble by hand and use the best materials including a scratch-resistant plexiglass top that won't break or crack like traditional glass
- Material: Wood
Rank #3
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play PAC-MAN, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pac-Land, Mappy, and more—14 built-in titles deliver hours of iconic retro arcade fun at home
- Authentic Arcade Experience: Real-feel joystick and buttons let you dodge ghosts, eat pellets, and chase high scores just like you did in the arcade
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor brings every glowing maze and character to life with sharp visuals that stay true to the original arcade look
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Compete with players across the country by posting high scores online using built-in Wi-Fi—no quarters required
- Deluxe Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a light-up marquee, molded faux coin door, and sleek cabinet that adds retro style to any game room or space
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