Fairchild F

The Fairchild Channel F owns a special place in gaming history as the first-ever ROM cartridge-based gaming console and the first home console to use a microprocessor. Manufactured by Fairchild Camera and Instrument and released in 1976, the Channel F proved that a programmable home console utilizing interchangeable cartridges was not only possible but was also the future of gaming. However, the Atari Video Computer System was released a year later, and the Channel F was largely pushed out of the market. Approximately 250,000 units were manufactured, and 27 different Videocart titles were developed for the system, featuring games like Video Blackjack, Hockey, Tennis, and Space War.  Engineer Jerry Lawson led the development team responsible for the Channel F, which has led some to dub him the "Father of Modern Gaming."