News & Trends

Every year, there’s a bigger and better AV gadget that tops the wish lists of tech-savvy families. From the early days of radio to the streaming devices of today, audio-visual technology has shaped how we connect, entertain, and share experiences. With the rise of broadcast in the 20th century, families were given the opportunity to bring recordings into their homes—first through radio, then television, and eventually internet-enabled devices.

Let’s hop in our time machine and take a look at the top AV holiday gifts over the past century, decade by decade.

1920s - An RCA “Radiola”

The rise of radio broadcasts in the early 20s ushered in the era of equipment for the average at-home listener. RCA was the pioneer with their “Radiola” receivers, and they even created a handy catalog in 1922 called “Radio Enters the Home.” It introduced radio broadcasting to the world and taught you everything you needed to know about your new device. 

1930s - An Electric Phonograph

The electric phonograph gained popularity in the 1930s as the old hand-crack models of earlier days were replaced. It was a must-have for music lovers due to its superior quality (for the time!) and its ease of use for families to enjoy from their homes. The phonograph was often the centerpiece of a living room, and some of the most popular records were Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Fred Astaire. 

Bonus Gift: Tickets to Radio City Music Hall

If you lived near New York City, you’d be lucky to get tickets to see the Radio City Rockettes! The dance company found their permanent home at Radio City in 1932 (after starting in St. Louis in 1925). Tickets for a show at the Music Hall were 35 cents until 1 PM, 50 cents in the afternoon, and 75 cents in the evening.

1940s - A Wire Recorder

By the late 1940s, the wire recorder allowed people to record and play back their own audio for the first time ever. Recorders were previously only used in the military, but once they became a consumer product, families could record their own personal stories or songs ... and tuck them away in the attic for future family members to discover! To record one hour of audio, you would need to use a spool of wire the length of 7,200 feet (approx. 2200 m).

1950s - A CRT Television Set 

The 1950s were definitely the golden age of television, and owning a TV set became the ultimate status symbol. RCA and Zenith dominated the market with their black-and-white TVs, and families gathered around to watch shows like I Love Lucy and The Ed Sullivan Show. Color TVs started to make their debut at the end of the decade, though they were more of a luxury item.

1960s - A Sony Portapak

The Sony Portapak was introduced in 1967 as the first portable video recording system. It revolutionized the way people captured memories and allowed them to record home videos and events outside of a studio setting. This invention would lay the groundwork for the camcorder boom of the 1980s.

1970s - A VCR

The 1970s brought the Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) into homes and our at-home movie watching experience would never be the same. The ability to record TV shows and watch movies on demand made the VCR a must-have item -- not to mention they were a strict requirement for most sleepovers of the 1980s. Betamax and VHS battled for dominance, with VHS ultimately winning the format war.

1980s - A Sony Walkman

The Sony Walkman was launched in 1979 but really boomed in the 1980s. It was truly a game-changer for personal audio and allowed people to take their cassettes anywhere. The Walkman quickly became a cultural icon and a symbol of the decade's personal fitness craze.

1990s - A DVD Player

The 1990s saw the rise of the DVD player, which offered superior picture and sound quality compared to VHS tapes. DVDs were more durable, easier to store, and often came with bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage. By the end of the decade, DVD players were a common sight in living rooms.

2000s - An iPod

Apple’s iPod, introduced in 2001, was the most culturally recognized line of mp3 players. Its sleek design and ability to store thousands of songs quickly made it a phenomenon. The iPod paved the way for the digital music revolution and the eventual rise of streaming services.

2010s - A Smart TV

The 2010s were all about connectivity, and Smart TVs became the centerpiece of home entertainment. These TVs allowed users to stream content from platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube directly, eliminating the need for external devices. With 4K resolution becoming more affordable, the viewing experience reached new heights.

2020s - A VR Headset

While maybe not yet universally embraced due to their hefty price tag, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets like the Oculus Quest and the HTC VIVE have brought immersive gaming and experiences into homes. As we push into the later half of the decade, it will be interesting to see how immersive experiences continue to develop and what new technology we have in store. 

Photo credit: Getty Images/furnellm

Note: This article came together with the assistance of Jasper, our AI marketing tool. It helped us gather our research before we carefully edited and fact-checked the final article. Rest assured, there is always a human in the loop.