BOSTON — Wasteland.com founder/owner Colin Rowntree was among the adult industry experts featured last week on New York City’s Fox 5 News series, “Fox Docs,” charting porn’s influence on tech innovation in the past, present and future.
Rowntree, whose BDSM site broke ground 20 ago, discusses the porn industry’s role as the forerunner to conveniences Internet users enjoy today, such as secure online credit card processing, digital and streaming video technology, and video chat.
“The adult industry basically invented that,” Rowntree says in the five-minute clip that aired Sept. 3, adding that online retail giants like Amazon owe a debt of gratitude to the foundation laid out early on by adult industry entrepreneurs.
Fox 5 reporter Lisa Evers’ “Fox Docs” story chronicled the rise of technology starting in the ‘70s with the advent of Betamax and VHS equipment, moving on to DVD, Blu-ray and the Internet, and the new fascination with real-time chat, 3D and haptics/touch technology.
The short doc also includes interviews with Vivid Entertainment founder Steven Hirsch, Supercompressor.com editor Jeremy Glass and Indiana State professor Bryant Paul.
“Whether you love or hate the porn industry, there’s no denying the significant impact it has made on our everyday lives over the years,” Rowntree said. “Expect the trend to continue as the general public comes to expect more live interaction and instant gratification from their technology, with the adult industry willing to oblige.”