THIS DAY IN HISTORY: JUNE 7, 1975

Sony introduced the Betamax video recorder, setting a new standard in videocassette recording. It produced better images, had more features and had Sony — the Mr. Big of electronics — in its corner. But the challenger proved to be a tough competitor. JVC’s VHS was launched a year later and boasted longer- playing ability. Time and vastly improved VHS technology ground away at the older giant, with VHS winning a war of attrition that lasted through the 1980s.

Betamax video recorders, introduced in 1975, eventually lost a technology platform battle with VHS.