Watch the first-ever television switch from black-and-white to color

Between the 1960s and 1980s, television broadcasting stations and networks around the globe made a transition from black-and-white to color transmission. Many televisions celebrated the exact moment of switching, providing their viewers with the change in real time. However, many of us weren’t even born then, but thanks to the internet – we can now watch the exact moments of black-and-white to color switch, just like our parents and grandparents.

During the evening news on April 14, 1967, WMT-TV Channel 2 in Iowa made history by broadcasting its inaugural color TV transmission, signifying a remarkable shift from black-and-white. As the anchor delivered the news, viewers witnessed the momentous transition unfold before their eyes. The anchor, Robert “Bob” Bruner, followed it with a witty remark:

“Well, up first, I’d like to say this: that I feel doubly honored to have been chosen to be the first one involved in our big change. Because there are so many, much more colorful characters around here than this reporter.”

I saw similar videos emerging on an Instagram page I follow, History in Memes. Some countries, like Norway and Australia, were very creative, even a bit pompous, with their choreography and set for the big switch. But I don’t blame them at all, I love these videos:

While it’s not exactly the same to watch history being made with a nearly 60-year delay, let’s say it’s second best. After all, the fact that we can watch it so many years later is impressive on its own.

[via PetaPixel]