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VHS won the so-called \u2018format wars\u2019 of the 1980s - but before JVC unveiled their VCR system, Sony created the market, with their innovative Japanese launch of Betamax on 7th June, 1975.\xa0\nFor the first time, consumers could tape shows at home, rewind and fast-forward the best bits, and share cassettes with friends. But Betamax tapes were only one hour long, so they couldn\u2019t contain an entire movie or football game. And Hollywood was unhappy about the technology, triggering a massive lawsuit from Universal Pictures and Walt Disney.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider what role pornography played in VHS\u2019 ultimate defeat of Betamax; explain why video rental shops were such a popular concept; and reveal how, despite Sony\u2019s early advantage, JVC got other manufacturers on-board before poor Betamax could catch up\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018June 7, 1975: Before Digital, Before VHS ... There Was Betamax\u2019 (WIRED, 2007): https://www.wired.com/2007/06/dayintech-0607/?msclkid=b50fb350d13a11eca7a9948d91685605\n\u2022 \u2018Why VHS was better than Betamax - Jack Schofield\u2019 (The Guardian, 2003): https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/jan/25/comment.comment?msclkid=fb5c2af5d13a11ec962eda595e20814a\n\u2022 \u2018The Sony Betamax: It\u2019s Only Purpose Is To Serve You\u2019 (Sony Promotional Video, 1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt2KlIEr5xA\n#80s #70s #Technology #Mistakes\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Alexa Weissman.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices