WebcamsThe Past, Present and Future

By Alaina RydzewskiNew Media

January 16, 2009

Definition of a Webcam

-A camera that sends continuous images or videos to a Web site for display; now more commonly used between people to “chat”

The History of the Webcam

oThe first webcam was started in 1991oIt was called CoffeeCam and was pointed at the Trojan room coffee pot in the computer science department of Cambridge UniversityoIt was finally retired on August 22, 2001oThe webcam found commercial use through pornography (we won’t go into that)oLater webcams included:

oJenniCam- started in 1996, which documented the life of its namesakeoJustin.tv-shows a continuous stream from a mobile camera mounted on the star’s head

oMore recently, Apple and other computer companies have been building webcams into the screens, eliminating the need for additional hardwareoBranded the NiK-cam

Older Webcams

Newer Webcams

Webcams embedded in laptop screens

**Note that the webcams are in the top middle of the screen

Skype is one of the most popular usage sites for webcams.

All you have to do is visit their homepage, download the software (for free!) and you get a free call, plus all the other benefits of Skype, such as a buddy list.

Skype is easy to use and free.

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Questions…

*How many of you have and use a webcam?*Is it embedded in your computer?*Do you think webcams are gaining popularity and why?

Bibliography

http://www.howtosetupwebcam.com/webcamhistoryhttp://www.skype.com

http://www.gearlog.com/images/snakecam%202.jpg http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/pro9000_ctg.jpg http://www.intellect.uk.com/images/creative%20webcam%20go%20500x400.jpg