Connor VideoSmarts, ComputerSmarts, and VideoPhone (partially lost VHS-based and cartridge-based edutainment games; 1986-1990): Difference between revisions
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(More information has surfaced. A console box for the ComputerSmarts shows eight more possible cartridges, and the game box for ComputerSmarts shows four more possible VHS games. Also, moved "Double Digits Double Trouble" to Ex. Unc. until solid proof.) |
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It was aimed at an older audience, with the tapes claiming to be for fourth and fifth-grade children. Teachin' Teddy and his friends were replaced by two aliens, Beek and Rains, as well as a talking computer screen named DJ. It was notable for using human actors as side characters who would either help or hinder the puppets. | It was aimed at an older audience, with the tapes claiming to be for fourth and fifth-grade children. Teachin' Teddy and his friends were replaced by two aliens, Beek and Rains, as well as a talking computer screen named DJ. It was notable for using human actors as side characters who would either help or hinder the puppets. | ||
The first of the two main VHS series, known as "Word Mysteries", focused on sentence structure and parts-of-speech. It is believed that four tapes were created for this series. A second series, known as "Math Skills", has at least one episode | The first of the two main VHS series, known as "Word Mysteries", focused on sentence structure and parts-of-speech. It is believed that four tapes were created for this series. A second series, known as "Math Skills", has at least one episode, "The Power of Tens", which focuses on moving from the 'ones place' to the 'tens place', dealing with double-digit numbers, and counting to one-hundred <ref name="nowheregaming" />. Boxes for the ComputerSmarts tapes show the following four planned math VHS titles: "Mathematics 1: Mission Addition", "Mathematics 2: Subtraction Action", "Mathematics 3: Harnessing Number Power", and "Mathematics 4: Pulling Numbers Apart". However, no other evidence of these four tapes has surfaced, and it is unclear whether they exist. It is notable that the only known math VHS tape is not included in the list on the tape boxes. | ||
A single ComputerSmarts cartridge, "Language Arts" has resurfaced alongside a prototype version of the Computersmarts console. One of the VHS tapes from the ComputerSmarts, the "Video Guided Tour" showed a set of five cartridges. Only one cartridge, "Double Digits Double Trouble", had its name visible. However, even this cartridge has yet to resurface in the real world, so it is unclear whether it was actually released, or if it was only a mock-up. The back of the box for a Computersmarts console also shows the following eight titles: "Solvesmart 1", "Solvesmart 2", "Typesmart", "You Type", "Calculate", "Numbersmart 1", "Numbersmart 2", and "Music". It is notable that neither "Double Digits Double Trouble" nor "Langauage Arts" are listed on the official packaging. It is not clear whether the eight listed cartridges actually exist, as no photographs have surfaced. | |||
===Known VHS Releases=== | ===Known VHS Releases=== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|''Math Skills 1: The Power of Tens''||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | |''Math Skills 1: The Power of Tens''||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | ||
|- | |||
|''Math Skills 1: Mission Addition''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span> | |||
|- | |||
|''Math Skills 2: Subtraction Action''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span> | |||
|- | |||
|''Math Skills 3: Harnessing Number Power''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span> | |||
|- | |||
|''Math Skills 4: Pulling Numbers Apart''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span> | |||
|} | |} | ||
===Known Cartridge Releases=== | ===Known Cartridge Releases=== | ||
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! style="background-color:green" | Notes | ! style="background-color:green" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
|''Double Digit Double Trouble''||<span style="color: | |''Double Digit Double Trouble''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>||Seen during the Video Guided Tour alongside four other cartridges. This was the only one with its name visible. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|''Language Arts''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||Resurfaced alongside a prototype version of the ComputerSmarts console | |''Language Arts''||<span style="color:red;">Lost</span>||Resurfaced alongside a prototype version of the ComputerSmarts console | ||
|- | |||
|''Solvesmart 1''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Solvesmart 2''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Typesmart''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''You Type''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Calculate''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Numbersmart 1''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Numbersmart 2''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|''Music''||<span style="color:grey;">''Existence Unconfirmed''</span>|| Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. | |||
|- | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Connor VideoPhone== | ==Connor VideoPhone== | ||
Very little information is available on the VideoPhone. On | Very little information is available on the VideoPhone. On October 15, 2019, an Imgur gallery was uploaded containing many images of the Connor VideoPhone.<ref>[https://imgur.com/a/plVpieI Imgur gallery for the VideoPhone console.] Retrieved 13 Mar '20</ref>. The console has the same four-button arrangement as the original VideoSmarts, and the box has the same image of a VCR and the Teachin' Teddy character as the original VideoSmarts packaging. It was a different form factor of the original VideoSmarts, and it used the same games. The plastic shows a copyright of 1989, which is a probable year of release. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =CZ_FJYg9pJk | |id2 =CZ_FJYg9pJk | ||
|description2 = | |description2 =YouTube video of an ended eBay auction for the rare VideoPhone console (Courtesy of Kevin McQueary). | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =TnKhLBrYC0I | |id3 =TnKhLBrYC0I | ||
|description3 =One of the few videos of the ComputerSmarts game console in action (Courtesy of briannamoller). | |description3 =One of the few videos of the ComputerSmarts game console in action (Courtesy of briannamoller). | ||
}} | }} | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights= | <gallery mode=packed heights=350px> | ||
File:computersmarts_magazine_ad.jpg|One of the few known advertisements for the ComputerSmarts (top left), alongside other children's educational computers. | File:computersmarts_magazine_ad.jpg|One of the few known advertisements for the ComputerSmarts (top left), alongside other children's educational computers. | ||
File:front_of_VideoSmarts_press_photo.jpg|A rare press photo discussing the 1986 release of the VideoSmarts. | File:front_of_VideoSmarts_press_photo.jpg|A rare press photo discussing the 1986 release of the VideoSmarts. | ||
| Line 118: | Line 145: | ||
File:ComputerSmarts_cartridges.png|Screenshot of ComputerSmarts advert, showing a set of five cartridges. 'Double Digits, Double Trouble' is the only cartridge with a visible name. | File:ComputerSmarts_cartridges.png|Screenshot of ComputerSmarts advert, showing a set of five cartridges. 'Double Digits, Double Trouble' is the only cartridge with a visible name. | ||
File:Connor_Language_Arts.jpg|Image of the "Language Arts" cartridge taken from eBay. | File:Connor_Language_Arts.jpg|Image of the "Language Arts" cartridge taken from eBay. | ||
File:Computersmarts_cartridge_list.jpg|List of planned cartridge releases taken from the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. It is unclear whether they were ever released. | |||
File:Connor_Computersmarts_Math_Skills_1_The_Power_of_Tens.jpg|An image of the only verified release from the ComputerSmarts "Mathematics" VHS line. | |||
File:Connor_Computersmarts_Math_Skills_List.jpg|List of planned releases for the ComputerSmarts VHS "Mathematics" series. It is unclear whether they were ever released. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===References=== | ===References=== | ||
Revision as of 23:05, 13 March 2020
Still from a VideoSmarts commercial, showing the console and some of the games.
Status: Partially Lost
In October 1985, Wausau, Wisconsin-based company Connor Forest Industries, Inc decided to branch out into the edutainment area of the videogame market. In order to facilitate this new arm of their business, they created the Connor Toy Corporation and Connor Electronics.[1] Between the years 1986 and 1990, these two subsidiaries produced at least three different edutainment game consoles. The VideoSmarts, released in 1986, was aimed at children age 3 and up. The ComputerSmarts, released in 1987, was aimed at fourth and fifth graders. Very little information exists for their third console, the Video Phone, and it is unknown when this variant was released. Most of their games were held on VHS tapes, as Connor wished to incorporate full-motion video. At the time, CD technology was not yet capable of storing sufficient video data, and while some companies used LaserDisc, these were very expensive. However, as VCRs were common in households at the time, Connor decided to use VHS tapes, and users were expected to connect their existing VCRs to the main console. Connor president David L. Vergeyle also noted that children had become very comfortable with using televisions and VCRs in the home, so it seemed like a good way to engage them in the learning process.[2] The videos themselves most often featured multiple puppet characters that addressed the viewer directly. The footage would also cut to traditionally-animated characters to explain certain concepts in more detail.
In addition to the VHS tapes, the Connor ComputerSmarts featured a cartridge slot, though it is unclear how many cartridge games were produced. It is also unclear if these cartridges worked in tandem with the VHS tapes, or if they were separate games to be used when the ComputerSmarts was not connected to the VCR.
Connor Toy Company and Connor Electronics are believed to have collapsed somewhere between 1988 and 1990 with poor sales of the ComputerSmarts console considered the main culprit. A commercial has surfaced from 1990 revealing that Video Technology Inc (VTech) later distributed the VideoSmarts, but it is unclear what their relationship with Connor was at that point.[3] Since then, Connor's three edutainment consoles have fallen into obscurity, with consoles and VHS tapes only occasionally appearing for sale on sites like eBay.
Connor VideoSmarts
The VideoSmarts was Connor's first edutainment console, released in 1986. It was the first game console in the world to use VHS tapes to hold the game data. The console had four large buttons and a built-in speaker. It was connected to the audio output of the VCR in order to receive signals from the tape. The main character was a puppet known as Teachin' Teddy. This puppet often played the role of a young child who would learn the lessons alongside the viewer. Teachin' Teddy was accompanied by Roger Parrot and Penelope Goldfish. They would often speak to the viewer directly and pose the questions. The signals from through the audio line would tell the console which was the correct answer, and a calm voice from the internal speaker would tell the user whether they got the answer correct.[2]
The main focus of VideoSmarts appears to have been simple math and phonics. The learning programs were developed by the VideoSmarts Educational Advisory Panel, a panel of experts in early childhood learning put together by Connor. Puppetry was performed by Michelle Stevens, Patricia Martin, Hugh Manning, and J.B. Skye. The music and lyrics are credited to Stephen Lemberg. Several VHS releases are currently preserved on YouTube and the Internet Archive, but it is unclear how many titles were produced. Many of these tapes were preserved by YouTube user MarcW23. The most complete list of currently known titles was taken from the website of Dr. Christopher J. Hopkins, who was researching the VideoSmarts at one point. [4]
Known VHS Releases
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Letters A to Z | Found |
| Arithmetic Signs and Addition of Single Digit Numerals | Found |
| Nutrition, Health, and Safety | Found |
| Numbers 1-5 and Comparison | Found |
| Letter Sounds | Found |
| Numbers 1-20 and Comparison | Found |
| Colors and Shapes | Found |
| Vowel Sounds | Found |
| All About Me | Found |
| Letter Blends | Found |
| Capital and Small Letters | Lost |
| Letter Quiz | Found |
| Upper & Lower Case Letters | Found |
| Sentence Building | Lost |
| Tens and Ones | Lost |
| Subtraction and Small Change | Lost |
| Number Quiz | Lost |
| Just Say No | Lost |
Connor ComputerSmarts
The ComputerSmarts was a follow-up to the VideoSmarts, released in 1987. It was more complex, ditching the simple four large buttons for a full QWERTY keyboard. The console still plugged into the VCR via the audio output jack to receive signals from the tapes. However, users were now expected to type either single letters or entire words to increase their score. Feedback came from either the small single-line LCD screen on the console, or an internal speaker, similar to VideoSmarts.[5] In addition to VHS tapes, the console had a cartridge port. It is unknown how many cartridge games were released, or if the cartridges and VHS tapes could be used at the same time. The console did have a "portable mode" that did not require a VCR, so it is possible that the cartridges were used only in that mode.
It was aimed at an older audience, with the tapes claiming to be for fourth and fifth-grade children. Teachin' Teddy and his friends were replaced by two aliens, Beek and Rains, as well as a talking computer screen named DJ. It was notable for using human actors as side characters who would either help or hinder the puppets.
The first of the two main VHS series, known as "Word Mysteries", focused on sentence structure and parts-of-speech. It is believed that four tapes were created for this series. A second series, known as "Math Skills", has at least one episode, "The Power of Tens", which focuses on moving from the 'ones place' to the 'tens place', dealing with double-digit numbers, and counting to one-hundred [1]. Boxes for the ComputerSmarts tapes show the following four planned math VHS titles: "Mathematics 1: Mission Addition", "Mathematics 2: Subtraction Action", "Mathematics 3: Harnessing Number Power", and "Mathematics 4: Pulling Numbers Apart". However, no other evidence of these four tapes has surfaced, and it is unclear whether they exist. It is notable that the only known math VHS tape is not included in the list on the tape boxes.
A single ComputerSmarts cartridge, "Language Arts" has resurfaced alongside a prototype version of the Computersmarts console. One of the VHS tapes from the ComputerSmarts, the "Video Guided Tour" showed a set of five cartridges. Only one cartridge, "Double Digits Double Trouble", had its name visible. However, even this cartridge has yet to resurface in the real world, so it is unclear whether it was actually released, or if it was only a mock-up. The back of the box for a Computersmarts console also shows the following eight titles: "Solvesmart 1", "Solvesmart 2", "Typesmart", "You Type", "Calculate", "Numbersmart 1", "Numbersmart 2", and "Music". It is notable that neither "Double Digits Double Trouble" nor "Langauage Arts" are listed on the official packaging. It is not clear whether the eight listed cartridges actually exist, as no photographs have surfaced.
Known VHS Releases
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Video Guided Tour | Found |
| Word Mystery 1: In Search of the Ultimate Sentence | Lost |
| Word Mystery 2: The plot of the possessive pronoun | Found |
| Word Mystery 3: The Caper of the Compounding Characters | Found |
| Word Mystery 4: The Victory of Victor Verb | Found |
| Math Skills 1: The Power of Tens | Lost |
| Math Skills 1: Mission Addition | Existence Unconfirmed |
| Math Skills 2: Subtraction Action | Existence Unconfirmed |
| Math Skills 3: Harnessing Number Power | Existence Unconfirmed |
| Math Skills 4: Pulling Numbers Apart | Existence Unconfirmed |
Known Cartridge Releases
| Title | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Double Digit Double Trouble | Existence Unconfirmed | Seen during the Video Guided Tour alongside four other cartridges. This was the only one with its name visible. |
| Language Arts | Lost | Resurfaced alongside a prototype version of the ComputerSmarts console |
| Solvesmart 1 | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Solvesmart 2 | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Typesmart | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| You Type | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Calculate | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Numbersmart 1 | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Numbersmart 2 | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
| Music | Existence Unconfirmed | Title appeared on the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. |
Connor VideoPhone
Very little information is available on the VideoPhone. On October 15, 2019, an Imgur gallery was uploaded containing many images of the Connor VideoPhone.[6]. The console has the same four-button arrangement as the original VideoSmarts, and the box has the same image of a VCR and the Teachin' Teddy character as the original VideoSmarts packaging. It was a different form factor of the original VideoSmarts, and it used the same games. The plastic shows a copyright of 1989, which is a probable year of release.
Gallery
One of the few known advertisements for the ComputerSmarts (top left), alongside other children's educational computers.
A rare press photo discussing the 1986 release of the VideoSmarts.
The back of the rare press photo, which discusses the launch of the VideoSmarts.
An example of the VideoSmarts game packaging.
An example of the ComputerSmarts game packaging.
Screenshot of ComputerSmarts advert, showing a set of five cartridges. 'Double Digits, Double Trouble' is the only cartridge with a visible name.
Image of the "Language Arts" cartridge taken from eBay.
List of planned cartridge releases taken from the back of a ComputerSmarts console box. It is unclear whether they were ever released.
An image of the only verified release from the ComputerSmarts "Mathematics" VHS line.
List of planned releases for the ComputerSmarts VHS "Mathematics" series. It is unclear whether they were ever released.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fansite discussing the establishment of Connor Toy Corporation and Connor Electronics. Retrieved 25 Feb '19
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chicago Tribune article on the debut of VideoSmarts. Retrieved 25 Feb '19
- ↑ VTech Commercial from 1990 featuring the original VideoSmarts console. Retrieved 25 Feb '19
- ↑ Dr. Christopher J. Hopkins VideoSmarts research page. Retrieved 25 Feb '19
- ↑ Chicago Tribune article on the ComputerSmarts. Retrieved 25 Jan '19
- ↑ Imgur gallery for the VideoPhone console. Retrieved 13 Mar '20