I can’t recall what it was, but something the other day jogged my memory of standing in the electronics section of the department store. Sears, specifically. You know, rows and rows of television sets. CRTs the size of a mini-fridge. And that one special row of camcorders. All placed on tripods and set to a steady ‘on’ position. As soon as you’d walk by, boom. There you were on all the TV screens for the entire floor to see.

As a kid, this was such a thrill. Only celebrities and news anchors are on TV. But here we are. Our freckly faces with big, shiny braces, gracing the television screen(s).

The age of the camcorder was only the beginning. Now we have the ability to record any and all things at the drop of a hat. Sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. But back in the day, we had to use this new video recording capability wisely. Tape space was limited. And the battery power, it was minimal.

But so many good memories came from the ability to record moments with a camcorder. And this week, we’re going down memory lane with some of the good times had while making some absolutely ridiculous home movies.

America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Can’t start with anything else. America’s Funniest Home Videos set the trend to the audience participation clip-show. Viewers submitting amateur home videos for the sake of laughing at others’ mishaps and misfortunes.

We had Bob Saget walking into our homes on Sunday nights to show the week’s funniest home videos. A show worth setting up the TV tables in the living room to watch while eating dinner with the family.

Carrying a giant VCR on your shoulder.

The size of the original camcorder was comparable to carrying a boombox on your shoulder. This thing actually held a VHS tape. Never mind having to keep your arm steady while recording. But we did it. Well, dad was usually the one holding the darn thing.

But like all technological breakthroughs, the camcorder went from a giant hunk of heavy, plastic and metal, to a handheld device that could easily be thrown into a backpack or purse. This versus the actual carrying case, which was almost as heavy as the camera itself.

Home videos: sporting events, birthday parties, school plays, and more.

School plays and marching band performances, in my case, were probably the most recorded events of the time. But when the kids got a hold of the camcorder, anything goes. As for me and my friends? It’s primarily lip syncs and choreographed dances, story telling, class projects… Ok, we were super nerds. But absolutely had the time of our lives!

The possibilities were endless. What you did with your camcorder was your business. And nowadays, everyone has a “camcorder” in the palm of their hand. Everything is on “film” anymore. But back in the day, those moments were more precious. And we never took the ability to record them for granted.