Ridiculous History A Ridiculous Love Letter to Atari, Part One: From Pings to Pongs
Jan 20, 2026
Dive into the origins of video gaming as the hosts celebrate Atari's trailblazing journey. Discover the fascinating stories behind Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, and how early arcade culture influenced their groundbreaking ideas. Hear about the birth of Pong, from its humble tavern testing to the mass-market success that followed. You'll also learn about the legal battles Atari faced and the strategic decisions that shaped its legacy. Get ready for a nostalgic trip through the pixelated past of gaming!
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College Nights Led To Arcade Dreams
- Nolan Bushnell obsessed over Spacewar in college and snuck into computer labs to play the game late at night.
- That fascination and his arcade job experience inspired him to merge computer games with coin-operated arcades.
Arcade Business Model Origin
- Bushnell spotted an opportunity to commercialize university computer games by placing them in coin-operated arcades.
- That idea essentially birthed the modern arcade cabinet and a new entertainment business model.
Computer Space Paid The Rent
- Atari's first game, Computer Space, sold about 1,500 units and funded Bushnell and Dabney to start Atari.
- The initial commercial reception was lukewarm but enough to let them pursue coin-operated electronic games.