Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Video Games

Atari

Atari is a video game and consumer electronics brand first founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in Sunnyvale, California.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Atari is a pioneering video game brand founded in 1972. It helped shape the arcade and home console industries.

History and founding

Atari was founded on June 27, 1972, by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in Sunnyvale, California. The company quickly became a major force in early video gaming, launching the arcade hit Pong and later the Atari 2600 home console.

Notable products

Atari’s best-known products include Pong and the Atari 2600 (originally the Atari Video Computer System). The company also produced 8-bit home computers like the Atari 400 and 800, expanding into consumer computing.

Modern ownership

The Atari brand has changed hands several times since the original company’s reorganization. Today, Atari SA owns the brand and uses it for video games, consumer hardware, and licensing.

In short

  • Founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney.
  • Created Pong and the Atari 2600.
  • Brand now owned by Atari SA.
  • Influenced early home computing.
Canadian angle

Atari is part of global video game history and is familiar to Canadian audiences through the Atari 2600, arcade culture, and retro gaming collecting.

Quick questions

What is Atari?
Atari is a video game and consumer electronics brand best known for its early arcade games, home consoles, and home computers.
Who founded Atari?
Atari was founded by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in 1972.
Is Atari still active today?
Yes. The Atari brand is currently owned by Atari SA and is used for games, consumer hardware, and licensing.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari
    Supports: Brand ownership, founding date, current owner, and general corporate history.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari,_Inc.
    Supports: Founders, founding location, and original company history.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/technology/Atari-console
    Supports: Atari 2600/VCS release, significance, and product history.
  4. PCMag — https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/atari
    Supports: Brief definition of Atari and current brand ownership context.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_8-bit_computers
    Supports: Atari 8-bit computer line and launch timing.