The Evolution of Webcams: A Look Back at My First Apple Webcam

I remember when webcams didn't always come included with laptop screens or computer screens, but now they're everywhere. And I'm not just talking about those modern cameras that are built into your phone or computer screen. No, I'm talking about the old-school webcams that were a separate device altogether.

My first Apple webcam was one of these early models, and it's still in working condition today. I have to admit, I've grown quite attached to it over the years. It's a bit of a relic from the past, but I think it's still a great example of what those early webcams looked like.

The design of my Apple webcam is definitely space-age, even by today's standards. The camera itself is mounted on a small stand with a self-adhesive sticker that made it easy to place anywhere. But despite its sleek design, the only major flaw was the cable, which was a bit awkward to deal with.

I remember trying to figure out how to use this thing back in the day. It connected to my computer via firewire, which is still a novelty compared to today's USB connections. The camera itself had some impressive specs for its time - it was an f/2.8 autofocus 50mm Infinity lens with a 4.3-deg viewing angle and a CCD sensor.

But what really sets this webcam apart is the fact that it has a three-element lens. Now, I know what you're thinking: "What does that even mean?" Well, apparently it means that Apple was trying to get five elements inside their lens, but they couldn't get the licensing rights for multipass lenses.

Despite its quirks and limitations, my old Apple webcam is still an impressive piece of technology. And it's a testament to the quality of Apple's design work back in the day. I'm proud to say that it's still working after all these years, even if it does have a few scratches and scuffs from being handled over time.

I have to admit, when I look at my old webcam now, I see a piece of history rather than just a device. It was one of the first cameras I ever used, and it helped me get started on my journey into technology. And even though it's no longer as cutting-edge as some of the newer webcams out there, I still think it's worth looking at.

So if you're feeling nostalgic for the old days of technology, or just want to learn more about how webcams used to work, then keep watching. We'll be exploring the world of retro tech in this series, and I'm excited to share my experiences with all of you. Who knows what other old gadgets we'll stumble upon along the way?

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhello world I'm Chris Perillo and I love going retro or as you might put it I like going me I'm old or at least old enough to remember when this didn't exist these days cameras are everywhere in everything and I'm not just talking about these kinds of cameras I mean look around you you probably have 15 cameras pointed at you right now even if you don't know it believe it or not eons ago cameras didn't always come included with laptop screens or computer screens because obviously that's not a laptop is it I'm talking about webcams and while we're on the subject I know some people cover up their webcams with masking tape or duct tape but why don't they cover up these cameras too uh because people pick and choose their paranoia you know I still have my first webcam and it's in working order but I'm not going to be talking about that one today instead I'm going to be talking about my first Apple webcam the eyesight that connected to your computer by way of firewire in fact I wonder if it still still works I haven't tried in years but even if it doesn't work doesn't it look awesome I mean seriously I would consider this space age design the only thing that's a little sloppy is the cable but you kind of had to deal with that back in the day the stand was wisely a separate piece and it also had a self- adhesive sticker which I never actually used you had a limited range of motion no matter how you decided to accommodate the eyesight I have half a mind to keep this on display if only to tell people it's a Mac Pro Mini with an Apple logo on the butt and the lens in the front the LED would illuminate when an application was using the camera huh you call this a tech video you haven't even talked about the specs yet even though I know what the specs are and have read all the web pages about this particular device I still would only consider this a tech video if you talk about the specs calm down according to the front it's an f2.8 autofocus 50mm Infinity what the hell does that mean is that even English it has an astounding 50 4.3 de viewing angle with a/4 in CCD plus that's a three element lens which is important to note because Apple really wanted to put five elements inside their lens it's just that they couldn't get the licensing rights for multipass Fifth Element Corbin Dallas multi pass gadgets not important only likes important what else can I say about this manufactured in 2003 that's older than some of you no seriously that's older than some of you if this works the next thing you'll see is me through this what do you know it worked you can see me and hear me through eyesight Hardware I guess that's a testament to Quality it still works I'm using this as a webcam not for much longer because webcams have kind of evolved past this point but this used to be really really good back in the day who am I kidding this is still good apart from the scratches and scuffs that I've attained over time attained like I collected them but that's what's making me look all hazy and fuzzy right now glowing really it also appears that I've shaved which would be impossible I didn't have the time to shave that's an optical illusion how was that huh good yeah that's what was good back in the day I don't hold on to a lot of old Tech but if you know of any other old Tech you'd like me to talk about that I might have had experience with back in the day feel free to let me know but at this point I'm going to leave you to your own devices whello world I'm Chris Perillo and I love going retro or as you might put it I like going me I'm old or at least old enough to remember when this didn't exist these days cameras are everywhere in everything and I'm not just talking about these kinds of cameras I mean look around you you probably have 15 cameras pointed at you right now even if you don't know it believe it or not eons ago cameras didn't always come included with laptop screens or computer screens because obviously that's not a laptop is it I'm talking about webcams and while we're on the subject I know some people cover up their webcams with masking tape or duct tape but why don't they cover up these cameras too uh because people pick and choose their paranoia you know I still have my first webcam and it's in working order but I'm not going to be talking about that one today instead I'm going to be talking about my first Apple webcam the eyesight that connected to your computer by way of firewire in fact I wonder if it still still works I haven't tried in years but even if it doesn't work doesn't it look awesome I mean seriously I would consider this space age design the only thing that's a little sloppy is the cable but you kind of had to deal with that back in the day the stand was wisely a separate piece and it also had a self- adhesive sticker which I never actually used you had a limited range of motion no matter how you decided to accommodate the eyesight I have half a mind to keep this on display if only to tell people it's a Mac Pro Mini with an Apple logo on the butt and the lens in the front the LED would illuminate when an application was using the camera huh you call this a tech video you haven't even talked about the specs yet even though I know what the specs are and have read all the web pages about this particular device I still would only consider this a tech video if you talk about the specs calm down according to the front it's an f2.8 autofocus 50mm Infinity what the hell does that mean is that even English it has an astounding 50 4.3 de viewing angle with a/4 in CCD plus that's a three element lens which is important to note because Apple really wanted to put five elements inside their lens it's just that they couldn't get the licensing rights for multipass Fifth Element Corbin Dallas multi pass gadgets not important only likes important what else can I say about this manufactured in 2003 that's older than some of you no seriously that's older than some of you if this works the next thing you'll see is me through this what do you know it worked you can see me and hear me through eyesight Hardware I guess that's a testament to Quality it still works I'm using this as a webcam not for much longer because webcams have kind of evolved past this point but this used to be really really good back in the day who am I kidding this is still good apart from the scratches and scuffs that I've attained over time attained like I collected them but that's what's making me look all hazy and fuzzy right now glowing really it also appears that I've shaved which would be impossible I didn't have the time to shave that's an optical illusion how was that huh good yeah that's what was good back in the day I don't hold on to a lot of old Tech but if you know of any other old Tech you'd like me to talk about that I might have had experience with back in the day feel free to let me know but at this point I'm going to leave you to your own devices whello world I'm Chris Perillo and I love going retro or as you might put it I like going me I'm old or at least old enough to remember when this didn't exist these days cameras are everywhere in everything and I'm not just talking about these kinds of cameras I mean look around you you probably have 15 cameras pointed at you right now even if you don't know it believe it or not eons ago cameras didn't always come included with laptop screens or computer screens because obviously that's not a laptop is it I'm talking about webcams and while we're on the subject I know some people cover up their webcams with masking tape or duct tape but why don't they cover up these cameras too uh because people pick and choose their paranoia you know I still have my first webcam and it's in working order but I'm not going to be talking about that one today instead I'm going to be talking about my first Apple webcam the eyesight that connected to your computer by way of firewire in fact I wonder if it still still works I haven't tried in years but even if it doesn't work doesn't it look awesome I mean seriously I would consider this space age design the only thing that's a little sloppy is the cable but you kind of had to deal with that back in the day the stand was wisely a separate piece and it also had a self- adhesive sticker which I never actually used you had a limited range of motion no matter how you decided to accommodate the eyesight I have half a mind to keep this on display if only to tell people it's a Mac Pro Mini with an Apple logo on the butt and the lens in the front the LED would illuminate when an application was using the camera huh you call this a tech video you haven't even talked about the specs yet even though I know what the specs are and have read all the web pages about this particular device I still would only consider this a tech video if you talk about the specs calm down according to the front it's an f2.8 autofocus 50mm Infinity what the hell does that mean is that even English it has an astounding 50 4.3 de viewing angle with a/4 in CCD plus that's a three element lens which is important to note because Apple really wanted to put five elements inside their lens it's just that they couldn't get the licensing rights for multipass Fifth Element Corbin Dallas multi pass gadgets not important only likes important what else can I say about this manufactured in 2003 that's older than some of you no seriously that's older than some of you if this works the next thing you'll see is me through this what do you know it worked you can see me and hear me through eyesight Hardware I guess that's a testament to Quality it still works I'm using this as a webcam not for much longer because webcams have kind of evolved past this point but this used to be really really good back in the day who am I kidding this is still good apart from the scratches and scuffs that I've attained over time attained like I collected them but that's what's making me look all hazy and fuzzy right now glowing really it also appears that I've shaved which would be impossible I didn't have the time to shave that's an optical illusion how was that huh good yeah that's what was good back in the day I don't hold on to a lot of old Tech but if you know of any other old Tech you'd like me to talk about that I might have had experience with back in the day feel free to let me know but at this point I'm going to leave you to your own devices w\n"