CCTV has become a necessity for businesses throughout the world adding extra safety to areas we consider at risk from intruders or that need some additional security in order to make users feel secure. This blog post will describe a brief history of CCTV and its history.

The first CCTV system was installed in Germany and created by Siemens in 1942. The design of the first system is accredited to Walter Bruch, who invented, designed and installed the system at Test Stand VII in Peenemunde.

The United States of America soon followed suit installing the first in the country in 1949. Very little is known about the system and who installed and invented it as well as for what reason – the only fact that is known is that it was named Vericon.

Originally, CCTV systems were not created solely for security purposes and were in fact used in situations where humans could not possibly record, for instance at the launch of rockets ensuring that an image could be recorded at all times throughout the process.

The first noted use of CCTV in America was in the tourist hotspot of Times Square – New York. In this case the NYPD installed it in order to prevent crime and put off criminals from hanging around the area. Despite NYPD’s best efforts, the CCTV camera did little to deter criminals and the crime rate so no impact from the installation of the close circuit television.

In spite of this the USA continued to install CCTV cameras in public places and areas with high crime rates instead of adding to the police force numbers. Throughout the 1980’s the US added cameras to prevent crime and to make members of the public feel safer. In addition, shops that were likely to attract crime and robbery added cameras to capture the crooks in action.

From the mid 1990’s the police force added CCTV to public places, housing areas, schools and public parks. This continued even more so as certain cities decided to install CCTV along high streets and within nigh life areas in a bid to reduce crime and detect criminals.

In the UK, the first town to install CCTV was King’s Lynn, Norfolk after several nationwide trials throughout the 70’s and 80’s. In 1994 the government launched an information booklet detailing the use of CCTV named ‘CCTV – Looking out for you’ which paved the way for millions of cameras being installed throughout the British Isles.

Today, in both the US and the UK, CCTV has become commonplace in towns and cities and is set to continue its use as the increased likelihood of crime and terrorism occurs.