Fairchild Videocart-16 Game, "Dodge' It," 1978

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Artifact Overview

The Fairchild Channel F Video Entertainment System is the first home video game console to include interchangeable cartridges. Jerry Lawson, Fairchild's head of engineering and hardware, co-invented the cartridge, which continues to be adapted into systems today. Lawson was one of the first Black engineers to work in Silicon Valley and was an early member of the Homebrew Computer Club.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Video game

Date Made

1978

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2020.75.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 5.625 in (Packaging)
Width: 4.125 in (Packaging)
Length: 0.875 in (Packaging)

Inscriptions

on top of cartridge: CHANNEL F / FAIRCHILD VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM / VIDEOCART-16 / Dodge' It / 1-Player 2-Player / TO PLAY PRESS BUTTON / Amateur 1-Player 1 / Amateur 2-Player 2 / Pro 1-Player 3 / Pro 2-Player 4 / Note: If a game is not selected / within 10 seconds, the Amateur / 1-player game is automatically / selected. / Hand Controller Action / Use the right hand controller / for 1-player games. / After game selection, push / hand controller right/left to / move player right/left. / Pushing forward/backward / moves player up or down. / Pushing down when "Hit" / pattern is being displayed / repeats previous set of ball / sizes and speeds. / ENCODED PROGRAM (C) FAIRCHILD 1978 / FAIRCHILD on front of cartridge: F(TM) VIDEOCART-16 / Dodge' It / Made in Singapore / VIDEOCART and CHANNEL F are trademarks of Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation on front of packaging: 16 / Dodge' It / 1-Player 2-Player / CHANNEL F / FAIRCHILD VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM / VIDEOCART-16 on proper left side of packaging: F(TM) VIDEOCART-16 / VIDEOCART and CHANNEL F are trademarks of Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation on back of packaging: VIDEOCART-16 / This preprogrammed cartridge plugs into the console of the Fairchild / Video Entertainment System for more TV fun. / It's like the old / playground favorite dodge ball. Only this time the computer's / throwing the balls, not your classmates. / 1-Player Dodge' It: / You're caught in the middle, and the computer's giving you the old runaround. Stay on your toes. Up to 9 balls can be coming at you, ricocheting off all sides. / 2-Player Dodge' It: You and a friend get ready for more rapid-fire action. Duck. Sidestep. Weave. Whatever you do, don't take it standing still. You'll find this a real moving experience. / Game play in color only on color televisions. / Ask your dealer to see the other Videocart(TM) cartridges available / for play on your Fairchild Video Entertainment System. Build a / library of video game fun. on proper right side of packaging: F(TM) VIDEOCART-16 / Exclusively for use with / the Fairchild Video / Entertainment System. on top of packaging: FAIRCHILD / Dodge' It / 1-Player 2-Player/ Contents: / 1 Videocart(TM) Cartridge / 1 Instruction Booklet / VIDEOCART-16 / Manufactured by / Fairchild Consumer Products Division / 4001 Miranda Avenue / Palo Alto, CA 94304 / Made in Singapore / Printed in U.S.A. on bottom of packaging: FAIRCHILD / Dodge' It / 1-Player 2-Player / VIDEOCART-16
Fairchild Videocart-16 Game, "Dodge' It," 1978