Why Was the First Video Game Created? (Tennis for Two, 1958)

The Birth of Video Games

The first video game, “Tennis for Two” (1958), was created by William Higinbotham at Brookhaven National Laboratory—not for commercial purposes.

Primary Purposes

• Demonstrate analog computer capabilities – Show potential beyond scientific use.
• Entertain visitors – Engaging activity for lab guests.

It wasn’t intended as a product or industry foundation—just a tech demo and visitor amusement. Dedicated consoles arrived years later.