The most important moment in the history of television wasn’t any particular engineering innovation or technological advancement. All of those were necessary, but they were not sufficient.
The most important moment in the history of television was when Milton Berle first hosted the Texaco Star Theatre in the new medium of television, on June 8, 1948. It turned out to be a perfect fit of performer and medium.
The popularity of “Uncle Miltie”, and his ability to use what worked best in the new medium, quickly turned a somewhat niche technology into a mainstay of American family entertainment.
I wonder when the next newly developed medium, something that is not quite on our collective cultural radar yet, will achieve its Uncle Miltie moment.