Closed-circuit television (CCTV) has revolutionized security worldwide. Its popularity has coincided with declining violent and property crime rates in the United States over the decades. Surveillance cameras deter crime by making potential lawbreakers think twice out of fear of being seen. 

CCTV monitoring documents perpetrators, providing law enforcement with valuable evidence to identify, catch and punish offenders. Modern equipment can alert you upon detecting something suspicious, allowing you to review what’s happening and contact the authorities as soon as possible.

Although this technology has blind spots and isn’t tamperproof, there’s no denying its value. Go back in time to discover how CCTV has shaped the surveillance industry and how it continues to evolve.

How CCTV Has Evolved Over the Decades

Like the internet, CCTV has a military past. German engineer Walter Bruch developed it during World War II, and the rest is history.

The ‘40s

The technology’s original purpose was safety, not security. In 1942, the German military used it to observe V-2 rocket launches without endangering lives.

CCTV became commercially available in 1949, opening a world of civilian uses. However, technological constraints of the time hampered its development and adoption.

The ‘50s

Vericon was among the first to realize CCTV’s potential for security. The American company focused its marketing efforts on the government and private sectors. In 1951, Vericon installed the first commercial system in the U.S.

In 1956, the British used the technology to monitor traffic on the streets of London. This event marked arguably the earliest nonmilitary public use of CCTV.

The ‘60s

This decade saw CCTV gain currency in public video surveillance, especially in the United Kingdom.

In 1964, it proved its merits for urban video monitoring when the New York City police department used the innovation to observe public spaces during a large gathering. Five years later, TV technology advancements and the introduction of silicon chips enhanced the quality and efficiency of CCTV cameras.

The ‘70s

This decade witnessed CCTV undergo more technological refinement and a key integration that changed video monitoring forever.

During the first half of the ‘70s, more banks incorporated CCTV systems into their buildings. As bank robberies proliferated, financial institutions had to tighten their security around this time.

The advent of Betamax and Video Home System (VHS) formats made video cassette recorders (VCRs) more practical and widely accessible, elevating CCTV footage recording, storage and playback. These innovations meant property owners no longer had to rely on older technologies and live monitoring to safeguard their premises with CCTV.

The ‘80s

Rapid growth in the surveillance industry defined this decade. CCTV became more prevalent in commercial spaces and public facilities, making video monitoring more widespread.

The ‘90s

This decade was a transitional period from analog to digital, enabling several advanced functionalities, such as zoom and multiplexing. CCTV storage systems gained more capacity and supported higher resolution — a trend that would persist in the next decades.

The ‘00s

This period saw the marriage of CCTV and the internet. It witnessed the emergence of IP cameras, which unlocked remote monitoring and data storage features.

High-definition cameras hit the market in the mid and late ‘00s. These modern surveillance devices generate clearer video quality, whose resolutions remain the standard today. Businesses usually prefer 1080p CCTV footage despite the availability of cameras capable of producing sharper visuals.

The ‘10s

The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into CCTV systems happened in the ‘10s. Machine learning algorithms enabled advanced capabilities, like behavioral analysis and license plate recognition.

Present Decade

CCTV systems continue to spread throughout the world. State-owned enterprises like Indian Railways have made them a priority in public infrastructure modernization to boost train security.

The early 2020s saw the integration of CCTV with Internet-of-Things devices, underpinning smart cities. More advanced AI capabilities reinforced the role of CCTV systems in cybersecurity.

What Does the Future Hold?

Surveillance industry observers predict the global CCTV camera market will grow from $14.8 billion in 2024 to $40 billion in 2032. These figures represent an astounding compound annual growth rate of 13.2% during this period, speaking volumes of the technology’s role in society.

By system type, IP video surveillance systems accounted for 53% of the global video surveillance market revenue in 2023. High resolution, remote monitoring, advanced analytics capabilities and other desirable features drove their adoption growth. This trend should maintain its upward trajectory as more governments prioritize transitioning from analog to IP surveillance systems.

By component, hardware ruled the market with 69% of the total revenue in the same year. By vertical, the commercial segment generated 36% of the revenue.

CCTV Is Here to Stay

Nobody could have predicted how a humble rocket test surveillance system would become a powerful eye in the sky watching over the world. Where CCTV would go from here is equally hard to imagine, but one thing’s certain — its evolution is far from finished.