Video chats or video conferencing is one of the greatest inventions in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). Nonetheless, the journey from text chats to video chats has been through many ebbs and flows.
So, while you are video-chatting to a friend late at night, did it ever occur to you; how did it all start? I mean the video conferencing, of course.
Let’s Start From The Beginning
Thanks to Sir Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone in 1876, the revolution in communication was set in place. In just the next two years, the creative thinkers were able to conceptualize a combination of a videophone and a wide television screen. It was then the idea of video chatting was seeded.
Although it took some time to follow through with the plan, in 1936, Germany designed a close-circuit videophone system where people had to go to designated post offices to accept or initiate these calls.
In 1964, an American Telecom Company, AT&T, developed a pioneering picturephone called “Mod I,” which was not only the first of its kind but also paved the way for the possibility of video conferencing in the future.
The Era Of Videophones (1970s - 1990s)
After closely monitoring the functioning of Mod I, AT&T came up with “Mod II,” in 1970. This model was meant to be better with optimal functionality. The news of the videophone spread like wildfire, and people began to understand that now they didn’t need to visit special post offices to make video calls. Instead, they can ask for a connection from their homes and offices.
Sadly, the lack of information on the product and the cost of owning a personal video call device didn't sit too well with the masses. As a result, the Mod II was discontinued in 1973, only three years after its launch.
Just for context: The initial systems of video telephony cost around $250,000. You can imagine that getting this service was not an option for the general public.
A Shift Began To Take Place - The 1990s
Scientists at the University of Cambridge were tired of traveling to the main computer room from their respective floors and offices to get a cup of coffee. Sometimes, their journey went in vain when they found the coffee pot empty upon arrival.
So, they came up with the concept of setting up a camera right above the coffee pot, allowing them to see if the coffee was available. It was a genius idea, and a camera made it into the World Wide Web in 1993.
However, one of the scientists couldn’t access the coffee camera, so he designed a computer code for watching the video online instead. And that is how the webcam was invented.
The invention of a webcam was big news for video conferencing, and the effects of which were seen in the rampant production of video calling apps by the end of the millennium.
Yahoo took the lead and introduced an instant messaging app with the least glitches, “Yahoo Messenger,” in 1999. This platform could host e-calls, chatrooms, exchange files, and video calls supported by the webcam.
The 21st Century - Boom of Video Conferencing
The early 2000s witnessed rapid growth and the spread of internet cables and video conferencing apps that allowed people to come face to face over the internet. In addition, Yahoo became a crowd favorite with Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger.
But soon came a video conferencing brand that has matched the pace even today - Skype. In 2005, Skype made a strong entry with its video communication services. Since then, Skype has been making all the right decisions to stay put and redesign according to the needs of the consumers.
Five years later, in 2010, Apple Inc released a video telephony software called “Facetime” for all Apple users. Back then, it was a one-on-one calling system that took over the market in no time, given its high quality and ease of communication. Besides, in 2018, the iOS software enabled video calls for up to 32 people simultaneously.
You might have heard of Zoom today, as it has become synonymous with online calls and remote work. But did you know it was launched in 2011? Yes, Zoom came up with software that hosted a single call for up to 15 participants, and by 2013, this app already had a million users. But Skype was the market leader at that time, and it was not until 2020 that Zoom became a focal video conferencing app, especially in the formal and corporate world.
Social Media and Video Chats
Facebook, Orkut, and other social media platforms rose from 2008 to 2014. Sharing pictures and videos through your social media accounts became the new talk of the town. But there were several aspects of these platforms that people didn't appreciate.
Hence, Snapchat stepped in and stole the show in 2014. Their filters, emojis, features, and low-storage functionality made people fall in love with Snapchat. Plus, their video calling feature was just a bonus that a majority was happy to gain.
Facebook Messenger, which started as a text messenger for a broad base of Facebook users, advanced into voice and video calling services with added features like group calling in 2015. It was easy to connect with your family and friends on such apps that allowed the social media experience with video chatting advantages.
Then came the most popular messaging and video calling app today, Whatsapp, in 2016, followed by Google Duo, Google Meet, Houseparty, and many similar video chat apps in the same year.
Since then, it has been about who can bring a new string to the board, as millions of video chat platforms with unique features are readily available to access within a few clicks.
Take Away
What started as a vision has now become a common way of life. Video chat platforms are a necessity today. While there may be a few disadvantages, their ability to connect and bring back the feel of home and family is unmatched.
The pandemic, in particular, was enough to make us understand the value of video conferencing. At present, every innovation in this field opens the door to new possibilities and inventions like 3D videos and whatnot that we might witness shortly.
So let’s see what the future holds for us. As of now, enjoy our video chat app and share your thoughts with us.
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