Closed circuit television, or also known as CCTV camera systems, can now be seen in many stores, stadiums, train stations, offices, and even homes and other private places. A security camera is usually installed in an area to improve people’s safety by preventing crime or monitoring what is happening there. Many people and organizations around the world have learned to take advantage of a CCTV kit and have used it for various purposes, including research. In fact, it has been decades since men discovered and experienced the benefits of having one. For those who are curious about the history and origin of these monitoring devices, read on.
1940
In 1942, surveillance equipment was used to monitor the launch of rockets and missiles in Germany, which is primarily a military activity. A well-known German engineer designed the device, backed by Siemens AG. The activity was primarily intended for testing, but today rocket and spacecraft launch sites around the world still have monitoring devices installed to help identify areas for improvement and for more sophisticated investigation. This is very important, as scientists or engineers would not be able to get too close to any launch site due to the dangers it poses to their health. It was in 1949 that CCTV cameras became commercially available in the United States from a company called Vericon, an organization known to be a government contractor.
1950 to 1960
The dawn of CCTV systems in the UK began in 1953 during the Queen’s coronation, a prestigious event that left a huge mark on British history. Around the 1960s, the Metropolitan Police began using these surveillance devices as a tool to watch people during rallies or events where the Prime Minister or any member of the Royal Family appeared. It was also during this time that video cameras were permanently installed on various streets in London and a number of other counties in England began to experiment with installing surveillance devices in city centres. Even British Railways realized the advantage of putting up cameras after part of the track was ripped apart. New York in the United States also began to put television circuits on its streets around this time. Since then, countries in Europe and America began to use this equipment in various ways.
1970 and 1980
The use of security cameras continued to increase in popularity during the 1970s through the 1980s. London’s major thoroughfares, as well as some of the London Underground stations, began to be monitored in the early to mid-1970s. They also started installing CCTV security systems at the venues of football matches. At the end of the 1980s, surveillance systems were installed in car parks and officially protected housing estates managed by local authorities. This was not only used to watch for vehicles on the streets, but also to monitor the main gathering places used for public protests in London.
1990 to present
At the time, national roads in Great Britain employed the use of speed cameras to keep track of people driving over the speed limit or running red lights. It was a milestone that made a big difference in traffic surveillance using CCTV systems. ATMs with monitoring equipment were also installed to prevent theft and other crimes as people use the ATMs. The governments of different countries saw the importance of these devices and allocated budget for the installation and maintenance of these systems on a large scale, forming an important part of their crime prevention efforts. Currently, there are more than 2.5 million security cameras in the UK alone to prevent and detect the occurrence of crime.
Countless people and organizations, both public and private, have enjoyed the benefits of having CCTV camera systems. It has been used inside and outside homes and offices for purposes ranging from catching thieves to catching a cheating wife or husband. Companies use a CCTV kit in both their offices and stores to deter thieves and protect their employees. Schools, banks, resorts, and churches use security cameras to ensure the safety of the bulk of people entering and leaving these institutions.