National Teletext Day

A person sitting in front of a teletext screen, wearing retro clothing, surrounded by vintage technology and 80s decor.. — National teletext day illustration

Welcome to the wild world of teletext! Get ready to take a trip down memory lane as we explore the fascinating history of National Teletext Day. From pixelated graphics to slow-loading pages, teletext was the OG of the internet. So grab your remote control and let's dive in!

When is Teletext Day?

It's national teletext day on the 23rd September.

The Birth of Teletext

Long before the internet became a household staple, teletext was the go-to source of information and entertainment. Developed in the 1970s, teletext was a text-based information retrieval service that appeared on television screens. With the help of Ceefax in the UK and other national versions worldwide, teletext quickly gained popularity, offering news, weather updates, TV listings, horoscopes, and even games.

The Golden Age of Teletext

The 1980s and 1990s marked the golden age of teletext. Late at night, you could find an abundance of bizarre and hilarious content. From quizzes to subliminal messages hidden in pages, teletext was a treasure trove of bizarre discoveries for the intrepid viewers.

Goodbye, Teletext

As the internet took over in the late 1990s and early 2000s, teletext gradually faded into obscurity. Its clunky, slow-loading pages and limited interactivity couldn't compete with the lightning-fast speeds and multimedia capabilities of the World Wide Web.

History behind the term 'Teletext'

1965

The Birth of Teletext

In 1965, the concept of teletext was born. British engineer George G. Harrod proposed the idea of transmitting information and graphics over existing television signals. This marked the beginning of a revolutionary technology that would greatly impact how people consumed news, weather updates, and other informative content.

1972

The Introduction to Ceefax

Ceefax, the world's first teletext service, was introduced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1972. With Ceefax, viewers could access a range of text-based information, including news headlines, sports scores, and TV listings. Viewers could conveniently navigate through pages using their TV remote controls, making Ceefax a popular source of information for millions of people.

1974

Videotex: Teletext's International Expansion

The year 1974 saw the birth of the first international teletext service, known as Videotex. Developed by the French post office, Videotex allowed users to access a wide range of information and services through their TV screens or computer terminals. This marked a significant milestone in the global expansion of teletext, paving the way for similar services to be introduced in various countries.

1976

The Birth of Teletext Standards

In 1976, the World System Teletext (WST) standard was introduced. This standardized the transmission protocol and character sets used for teletext services, ensuring compatibility across different countries and systems. The adoption of universal teletext standards played a crucial role in the interoperability and growth of the technology on a global scale.

1980s

Teletext's Popularity Soars

Throughout the 1980s, teletext services gained immense popularity. The ease of access, availability of information, and interactive features attracted a large user base. Viewers could obtain instant news updates, weather forecasts, flight information, stock market updates, and even play games, all through their television sets. Teletext became an integral part of people's daily lives, serving as a valuable source of information and entertainment.

1990s

The Rise of the Internet and Decline of Teletext

With the advent of the internet in the 1990s, teletext began to decline. The internet offered a more versatile and comprehensive platform for accessing information, and its widespread adoption led to a gradual decrease in teletext usage. While teletext services still exist today, they are no longer as prevalent or widely used as they were during their heyday.

Did you know?

Did you know that teletext had a cult following and even inspired its own art form called teletext art? Artists would create intricate pixel art using only the limited colors and resolution of the teletext system.