In 1950, A.J. Freiman introduced the Vis-O-Matic in Pembroke, Canada, sparking curiosity across North America. This revolutionary concept allowed customers to browse over 3,750 products on color televisions, write down their selections, and have purchases shipped from Ottawa the next day.
Freiman collaborated with Fred Waller, creator of the Cinerama, to bring this innovation to life. Customers used a booth with buttons to navigate the catalog, placing orders through an early fax-like teletype system. Women’s clothing and household items quickly became popular purchases, and over 20,000 visitors came to see the store in just four months.
Despite glowing reviews, including predictions that the Vis-O-Matic would replace mail-order catalogs, the experiment faced high operating costs. Though plans for expansion were discussed, the project ended quietly in the early 1950s. Yet, the Vis-O-Matic’s concept—a screen-based shopping experience—foreshadowed modern e-commerce, making it a forgotten but vital step in the history of retail innovation.
In 1950, A.J. Freiman debuted the Vis-O-Matic in Pembroke, Canada, revolutionizing shopping. Customers browsed 3,750 products on TV screens and placed orders via teletype. Items were shipped the next day, introducing a novel concept that echoed modern online shopping. 🧵1/4 pic.twitter.com/tB5WrI9Ldx
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) December 28, 2024