From the first television to the latest Neo QLED screens: some milestones in the evolution of televisions

A journey from the earliest electromechanical experiments to the era of artificial intelligence in the television industry reveals how constant innovation has been achieved to deliver ever more immersive and functional viewing experiences.

The history of television began in the 19th century, when a young student , Paul Nipkow, devised a perforated disc that split images into dots and lines . This principle was the starting point for the first transmission systems. In 1926, physicist John Logie Baird gave a public demonstration of his electromechanical television system, using a puppet named Stooky Bill as the first transmitted object. The following year, the first test transmissions between London and New York began, and in 1935 the BBC began regular public broadcasts.

In the following decades, television evolved toward electronic systems, particularly with the use of the cathode ray tube (CRT), based on a jet of electrons striking a phosphor-coated screen to generate images. This advancement was consolidated in the 1940s and dominated the market for much of the 20th century.

During the transition to the 21st century, tube televisions were replaced by technologies such as plasma and LCD. While plasma displays used gases like neon and xenon in tiny cells that transformed into plasma to generate light, LCDs offered a slimmer design and lower energy consumption, setting a new standard in the home.

It was in this context that Samsung introduced its first television in 1970 and has maintained a constant focus on technological development ever since. According to Omdia, by 2024 Samsung will reach a 28.3% share of the global television market, consolidating a leadership position it has held since 2006.

In the 2000s, the company launched LCD televisions notable for their size, such as the 46-inch model, considered the largest at the time. In 2006, it introduced the Bordeaux LCD , whose design was inspired by a wine glass and one of the first to integrate speakers at the bottom.

In 2009, after two years of work by a team of 50 engineers and more than 3,000 patents, Samsung launched the world's first LED TV , unveiled at CES. This breakthrough allowed the device to be reduced in thickness to a third of contemporary models and offer improved picture quality with lower energy consumption.

A year later, in 2010, the brand introduced the world's first 3D LED TV, enabling an immersive experience that had previously been little explored in the home environment.

Starting in 2011, televisions began connecting to the internet , allowing access to platforms like YouTube. This technological integration represented a shift in the viewer's relationship with the device. In 2013, Samsung introduced the world's largest UHD television , with a resolution four times higher than Full HD and composed of more than 8 million pixels.

In 2014 and 2015, it developed a cadmium-free nanocrystal material to introduce its SUHD TVs with quantum dot technology. It also introduced a flexible display capable of changing from curved to flat.

In 2017, Samsung unveiled its first QLED TV , which achieved 100% color volume thanks to quantum dot technology. This breakthrough enabled improvements in light efficiency and color stability , offering a new benchmark in picture quality.

Development continued with the arrival of the Neo QLED in 2021 , a device equipped with Quantum Mini LED and the Neo Quantum processor. This combination offered precise light control, even in brightly lit environments.

From 2022 to 2024, the company integrated artificial intelligence technology into its 8K displays , improving sharpness, contrast, and customizing the image based on ambient conditions. The televisions became thinner and more functional, with models like The Frame and The Freestyle standing out, which fuse technology with interior design elements.

Samsung has also strengthened its product ecosystem with platforms like Tizen and SmartThings, which allow users to access streaming services and control home devices from their TVs. The inclusion of virtual assistants and voice controls has made the TV a central hub for the connected home.

By 2025, the brand is advancing with Samsung Vision AI, a proposal that uses artificial intelligence to adapt audiovisual content in real time to environmental conditions and user preferences. This technology seeks to deliver "an optimized and personalized experience" in image and sound.

Television has come a long way from experiments with punch-hole discs to displays incorporating artificial intelligence algorithms. Constant developments in materials, design, connectivity, and image processing have transformed this device into an integral component of the modern home.

The immediate future of television appears to be headed toward the convergence of image, automation, and connectivity, with advances that continue to redefine the way people watch, listen to, and interact with digital content.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from Samsung and EL TIEMPO, and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.