IFA history: From major innovations to technological flops

The IFA trade show has historically served as both a platform for groundbreaking innovations—such as the Compact Cassette, PAL color television, and the CD—and a stage for significant technological failures.

One notable failure was the Video 2000 system, introduced in Berlin in 1979 by Philips and Grundig. Despite being technically superior to competitors like Sony’s Betamax and JVC’s VHS due to features like reversible cassettes and longer runtimes, it failed economically because VHS had already secured dominance through aggressive licensing in video rental markets.

Other unsuccessful trends showcased at the IFA include 3D television from 2009 and 2010, curved screens, and various smart home gadgets that failed to gain lasting consumer traction.