Every few years the entertainment industry comes up with new ways for us to amuse ourselves. A few advances — Dolby stereo, camcorders — catch on. Many become high-tech turkeys. Here are some inventions most of us have learned to live without:
3-D movies
Hollywood's attempt in the early '50s to lure
Americans out of their TV chairs and back into movie theaters (the
first 3-D feature: Bwana Devil). But moviegoers found the tinted
glasses uncomfortable. By 1960 audiences had generally decided that
3-D wasn't worth the headache, though the gimmick pops up now and
then (as in 1983's Amityville 3-D).
8-track tapes
A mid-'60s creation for drivers discontented with
car radios. Stereo manufacturers soon began providing a home player
for the sturdy, boxy little tapes. By 1980, however, audiophiles had
switched from 8-track to more versatile cassettes, which could be
recorded on and didn't divide songs with a thunk and a whir. Yet many
truckers still swear by 8-track.
Quadraphonic sound
The four-speaker stereo system from the early
'70s. The speakers took up too much room, record companies couldn't
agree on compatible systems, and the few quadraphonic records
released were priced at up to $3 more than the standard $5.98 LP.
Sensurround
The '70s movie sound system designed to scare the
bejeezus out of viewers with noise. Earthquake (1974) and Midway(1976) opened respectably enough, but by the time Rollercoaster rolled in 1977, the thrill was gone.
Beta videocassette recorders
The original (1975) format for VCRs.
Sony's Beta offered a clearer picture than now-dominant VHS. But home
viewers opted for VHS tapes' longer playing time, and choices in
prerecorded Beta tapes soon dwindled. Today, 95 percent of homes with
VCRs use VHS.
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