Google this week unveiled Google TV, a new platform for TV sets that’s built off of its Android operating system. Its promise is that it will more deeply integrate the Web with TV programming, as well as offer users a hassle-free way to swap between watching programming on regular TV channels, and on video content sites like Hulu and YouTube. All without requiring those destination sites to change how their site is coded or laid out.

As a product, it will come in three forms: built into TV software, as a standalone pass-through box, and as a software enhancement to existing set-top cable boxes.

Of course, those with long memories will know that this is not the first such endeavor. Many companies, large and small, have come ahead of Google in trying to blend the Internet with that TV set that’s in your living room. Let’s take a look back to see what’s come before.