Invention of the VCR

i was talking to my girlfriend how its kinda weird that when we get older are children want have a clue as to what a vcr is and we will sound like dumb old hags for talking about it and then she informs me that they weren't invented untill 1980 wich didnt sound right to me i call her a liar and drop the subject lol and cont. eating my pop corn and watching bourne supremicies ( good movie (i just cant spell) ) anywho is this true was is really only in the 80's when they came out?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCR
The first VCR was made in 1956 for TV stations & what not, costing $50,000. I think it says commercial vcrs weren't introduced till 1971. I can't really tell because I'm tired but check for yourself to see.

they came out in the early 70's but were too expensive for common use. when they became affordable it was between betmax and VCR's in the mid-late 70's. it's funny that VCR's stayed around though. betamax was the better format, it had better quality and was the first to offer stereo sound but they had poor marketing and advertising and VCR took over.

so, your girl was right.

wasnt it beta before?