Hand-Held Electronic Football Game, 1977-1978

01

Artifact Overview

Football, produced by Mattel in 1977, was one of the first handheld video games. It was a simulation of American football with red LED lights representing player positions. To play Football, gamers used arrows to direct their light across the football field screen, evade opponents, and score field goals and touchdowns.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Video game

Date Made

1977-1978

Creators

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Your Place in Time

Object ID

99.55.1.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 5.75 in
Width: 3.625 in
Length: 1.125 in

Inscriptions

on front of game: MATTEL ELECTRONICS / FOOTBALL
Hand-Held Electronic Football Game, 1977-1978