Nov 30

Nov 30 Jerry Lawson: The Engineer Who Changed the Game

We are paying tribute to one of the trailblazers of the gaming industry: Jerry Lawson and his incredible legacy and profound impact on the world of gaming. Lawson was an electronic engineer who revolutionised gaming by creating the first home interchangeable cartridge game console. An important fact considering the gaming industry is a multi billion dollar industry; by the end of 2023 it is expected to reach $334 billion in revenue.

Jerry Lawson’s Early Life and Background

Born on December 1, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, Lawson had an early fascination with electronics and was heavily inspired by George Washington Carver, a prominent African American scientist of the 20th century. As a child, he took apart and reassembled a variety of gadgets, setting the stage for a future career in electronics. Lawson’s passion for computing led him to Silicon Valley’s Homebrew Computing Club in the 70s. It was a club for electronic enthusiasts whose founding members included Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Lawson, the only Black member at the time, often crossed paths with them.

Jerry Lawson’s Career at Fairchild Semiconductor

Jerry Lawson's career in electronics gained momentum when he joined Fairchild Semiconductor in the early 1970s. During his tenure there, he worked as an engineer and project manager. Fairchild was a pioneering semiconductor company known for its contributions to the development of the microchip. It was here that Lawson would make a groundbreaking contribution to the gaming world.

Jerry Lawson Invents the Channel F Console

During this era, the gaming landscape was dominated by Pong-style consoles that offered only a limited selection of games. Jerry Lawson recognized the potential for a more versatile gaming experience and set out to create a console that could offer a broader range of gaming options. In 1976, Lawson and his team at Fairchild Semiconductor introduced the Fairchild Channel F, a revolutionary home video game console. What set the Channel F apart from its predecessors was its use of interchangeable game cartridges. Prior to this, game consoles were built with fixed games that couldn't be changed. The Channel F allowed players to swap out cartridges, providing a customizable and ever-expanding gaming library.

Fairchild’s Channel F, the first game console with cartridges

This innovation was a game-changer (literally) as it laid the foundation for the modern video game industry. The concept of interchangeable cartridges became the industry standard, and it allowed for the development and distribution of a wide variety of games. In 1980, Jerry Lawson embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture by establishing VideoSoft, a pioneering video game development company that held the distinction of being one of the earliest Black-owned enterprises in the industry. VideoSoft specialized in crafting software for the Atari 2600 gaming console.

Jerry Lawson’s Legacy and Impact

Jerry Lawson's contribution to the gaming industry extended far beyond the creation of the Channel F. He broke barriers as an African-American engineer in an industry predominantly dominated by white individuals. His success paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the tech and gaming sectors. Moreover, the Fairchild Channel F served as a precursor to iconic gaming consoles like the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). These consoles further popularized gaming and established it as a mainstream form of entertainment.

Unfortunately, Jerry Lawson's groundbreaking work often went unrecognized during his lifetime. While he didn't achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions are now celebrated and acknowledged as crucial to the history of gaming.