Discover how the Consumer Electronics Show transformed unknown companies into tech giants, from the $5,000 VCR debut in 1970 to Nintendo's industry-saving console and Sony's revolutionary compact disc.

The secret sauce isn't just about having great technology—it's about timing, presentation, and reading the cultural moment. CES has repeatedly demonstrated that the technology that best captures the imagination and addresses the unspoken needs of its era tends to dominate.
Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Creato da alumni della Columbia University a San Francisco

Ever wonder which tech giants got their big break at a hotel convention in Las Vegas? Before Apple had its sleek product launches and Samsung its Unpacked events, CES was the launchpad that catapulted unknown companies into household names. That VCR that revolutionized how you watched movies in the 80s? First debuted at CES 1970, priced at what would be $5,000 today. The Nintendo Entertainment System that saved the entire gaming industry from collapse? CES 1985. Even the compact disc that killed vinyl records (temporarily) made its grand entrance at CES 1981, with Sony promising "one hour of interruption-free music" on a disc that was "impervious to dust, dirt and wear." Today, I'll take you through the fascinating history of companies that used CES as their springboard to success, and why some revolutionary products soared while others crashed spectacularly.