How a glowing hockey puck transformed the way we watch sports

A still of FoxTrax in action for the first time at the NHL's 1996 All-Star game. A glowing blue halo on screen would follow the puck, and an orange comet trail would appear when a player makes a shot.

Back in 1996, a small innovation tried to transform the way people watched hockey. it ushered in a series of technological feats that have improved how we watch all kinds of sports.

Back in 1996, a small innovation tried to transform the way people watched hockey. Fox Sports debuted its new FoxTrax technology during the broadcast of the NHL All-Star game.

On screen, a colorful glow would hover above the small, black puck, making it easier for viewers at home to see. It was reviled by lots of viewers at the time, but they couldn't deny one thing: it did make the game easier to follow.

It only lasted a few seasons, but it ushered in a series of technological feats that have improved how we watch all kinds of sports.

Hank Adams, CEO of Sportvision,a company formed by the creators of the "glow puck," explains how the puck led to other innovations in sports watching including the televised yellow first down line used by the NFL.