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What is Multimedia?

© Carol Megrail

In 1962, Merriam-Webster defined the word "multimedia" as an adjective to mean "using, involving, or encompassing several media". Newly coined for the day, its most frequent use was in referring to a systematic approach -- such as a method of teaching -- where the traditional ways of imparting information, by printed material or lecture, was enhanced by flipcharts, live television programs, film, or overhead projection. Visual and computer technology was still in its infancy. There were no videotape recorders. Computers existed, but only large, expensive mainframes which primarily acted as super calculators. And Disney's World of Tomorrow with its suggestions of talking, interactive home screens seemed more appropriate to Fantasyland.

In the 70s, "multimedia" more often referred to multi-projector slide presentations. Programmed by (compared to today) rudimentary mini-computers, projected images were able to appear in widescreen panoramas or single image layers prompted by cues on a cassette tape containing the program's music and narration. Because of the slide format, the use of artwork and graphics also was possible, although animation was limited by the number of projectors used and colors depended upon the skill and ability of the photo processor. Although in fair amount of use for tourist attractions, trade shows, corporate meetings and the like, these presentations were unwieldy at best. Heavy stands for projectors, the computer or computers, specialized tape players, cords, the projectors themselves, and trays and trays of slides made transportation difficult and set up and stand down a matter of several hours. In addition, they required pinpoint accuracy of adjustment to produce the effects desired, while the possibility of errors was magnified by the amount of equipment involved.

A conversion to videotape in the early and mid-eighties solved some of these problems. Although not as "crisp" in a large-screen setting due to its initial low resolution, it provided the means of combining all of the above into a single cassette for playback, increasing its "multimedia" worth. Rapid progress in the medium improved visual and sound quality until film, until then the standard of the television industry, was overtaken and bypassed for videotape's ease of use and adaptability. Although cameras remained large at the beginning of this era due to the use of 2",1", or 3/4" tape in pursuit of quality, the industry soon developed a copy format -- what we now call 1/2" or VHS tape -- which, in use on TV monitors -- provided a medium quality image with accompanying audio suitable to most purposes. This provoked the wholesale conversion of audiovisual media from photo-reliance to live action and, eventually, digitized or computer enhancement that continues to integrate and improve almost on a daily basis.

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