MTV debuted 40 years ago this week, on Aug. 1, 1981.

The first night was, as network co-founder and executive Bob Pittman put it, "a total, unmitigated disaster." It didn't matter. History had been made.

Here were the 40 best videos aired that day: https://t.co/vNdlcR9jNM pic.twitter.com/1tndqL1nog

— Stereogum (@stereogum) July 29, 2021