As we quickly approach the historic DTV transition in February 2009, have you ever wondered about the history of television and how we got where we are today? The following videos show the exciting history of television decade by decade.

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The 1920s - 1930s

The story of television actually begins with sound, not pictures in the 1920s and 30s.

The 1940s

In 1941 the FCC mandated the use of 525 lines of picture and commercial broadcasting in the United States began.

The 1950s

In the early 1950s color television became a reality when RCA introduced the tri-color picture tube.

The 1960s

The 1960s were a time of great change and great hope in America. Television played a major roll in shaping the events of the day.

The 1970s

By the early 1970s color TV sets outsold black and white for the first time. Also, America's first television war or "living-room war" caught all of America's attention.

The 1980s

The 1980s brought exciting new technologies into the mainstream. Personal computers, video games and video tape recorders came of age. In the late 90s, the first digital television set hit the market.