History of CCTV

CCTV was first utilized by the United States Military in the 1940s. Closed circuit cameras were set up during the testing of the V2 missile in order to safely monitor the tests. By using CCTV, officials were able to monitor the testing at close range without danger, watching out for defects and other problems that might have otherwise gone undetected.

In the 1960s, officials in the UK began installing CCTV systems in public places to monitor crowds during rallies and appearances of public figures. Installation of cameras became more popular, both in public spaces and retail stores, as the technology developed. Today in Britain, CCTV cameras monitor roads, sidewalks and squares in city centers, public rail stations and buses, as well as in retail shops and other businesses. In 1996, government spending on CCTV technology accounted for three quarters of the crime prevention budget in the UK.

In the United States, the first CCTV system set up in a public building was in 1969 in the New York City Municipal building. This practice quickly spread to other cities and was soon widely implemented. Unlike the UK, CCTV in public spaces in the United States is rarely used. However, in the 1970s and 80s, CCTV use became more common in establishments prone to security threats, like banks, convenience stores, and gas stations. Security cameras were installed in the World Trade Center as a preventative after the terrorist attack in 1993. By the mid-90s, ATMs across the country were commonly equipped with CCTV cameras, and many retail stores used CCTV to prevent theft.

Personal use of CCTV technology has become more widespread as the technology has become much easier to acquire. Many utilize CCTV systems in their own homes to catch cheating spouses, or to monitor the care of their children in "Nannycams."

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