A TECHNOLOGY that transformed homes across the world will soon be consigned to the history books when the last company that still produces VCRs ends production.

Bradford’s National Media Museum has early examples of the technology in its collection, and one curator told the Telegraph & Argus it was one of the most significant inventions to be introduced into the home in the past few decades, changing the way we consumed entertainment.

After their introduction in the mid 70s, video casette recorders became a fixture of almost every living room, but after the technology was overtaken by DVD the format became obsolete.

Despite the fact most people won’t have used a VCR, or VHS tape, for well over a decade, they are still produced, but Japanese based Funai Electric, the last company to produce VCRs, will stop producing the technology later this month due to the drop in sales and difficulty sourcing parts.

VHS tapes have not been produced since 2007.

The National Media Museum’s display of television throughout the years includes a bulky HR 3300 VCR from 1976, the first model that was on the open market. The now obsolete unit, with chunky switches is surrounded by other once groundbreaking pieces of technology, like Betamax and LaserDisc players.

Elinor Groom, TV and Broadcast Curator at the museum, said: “It has been well over 20 years since VHS was superceded by DVD, then Blu Ray then downloads.

“When I first heard the news I thought ‘they’re still manufacturing them?’ But apparently the company still sold 750,000 units last year.

“VHS was a hugely significant technology, it was a seismic change in how we viewed television.

“This was a format that allowed you to record TV for three hours, so you could tape sporting events and films.

“Before then, if you missed a show you’d missed your only chance to see something.

“The whole idea of a rental market and home cinema came from VHS, and it made films much more accessible.

“I think for a lot of people, VHS tapes hold a large amount of nostalgia.”

When asked if she thinks VHS will ever see a revival like other once “obsolete” technologies like vinyl records, she said she feels VHS is likely to be one that remains firmly in the past.

She added: “Every technology will have its advocates, but will it ever have a hipster resurgence? I doubt it."