How were TV size ratios defined and why did we go from 4:3 to 16:9?
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The first TVs had screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which was the most suitable aspect ratio for the cathode ray tubes that were used to display images on the screen. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are vacuum tubes that produce images by directing a beam of electrons at a phosphorescent screen, creating a pattern of light and darkness that corresponds to the image being displayed. CRTs were the primary technology used for TVs until the mid-2000s, when they were replaced by flat-panel displays such as LCDs and LEDs.
The 4:3 aspect ratio was also used for early movies, which were shot on film with a frame size of 35mm. The frame size of 35mm film is roughly equivalent to a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is why early TVs used this aspect ratio. As movie-making technology improved and widescreen movies became more popular, the 16:9 aspect ratio became the standard for TVs, as it is more suitable for displaying widescreen content.
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