Easily the stupidest piece of technology ever.

Now, yes. But back then, why?

What problem with schooling is solved by having a laserdisc player instead of a VCR?

At least Internet access has potential answers to that question, even if schools are structurally unsuited to following through on them. But even with my HN-style bias, I'd rather spend money on VCRs and the remainder on sporting equipment than laserdisc players.

OK. I presumed they brought the laserdisc players before it was apparent that (VHS-) VCRs would win.

In return, I will confess I don't know.

I was pretty young then, but I don't know that there was ever a time when laserdiscs and VCRs were even remotely cost competitive. Laserdiscs were basically ahead of their time and such technologies generally come with a huge price premium. But I could be wrong.