<P> Various changes have been made to the basic set since the syndicated version's premiere in 1983 . In 1996, a large video display was added center stage, which was then upgraded in 2003 as the show began the transition into high - definition broadcasting . In the mid-1990s, the show began a long - standing tradition of nearly every week coming with its own unique theme . As a result, in addition to its generic design, the set also uses many alternate designs, which are unique to specific weekly sets of themed programs . The most recent set design was conceived by production designer Renee Hoss - Johnson, with later modifications by Jody Vaclav . Previous set designers included Ed Flesh and Dick Stiles . </P> <P> The first pilot used a vertically mounted wheel which was often difficult to see on - screen . Flesh, who also designed the sets for The $25,000 Pyramid and Jeopardy!, designed the wheel mechanism . Originally made mostly of paint and cardboard, the modern wheel mechanism is framed on a steel tube surrounded with Plexiglas and more than 200 lighting instruments, and is held by a stainless steel shaft with roller bearings . Altogether, the wheel weighs approximately 2,400 pounds (1,100 kg). </P> <P> The show's original puzzle board had three rows of 13 manually operated trilons, for a total of 39 spaces . On December 21, 1981, a larger board with 48 trilons in four rows (11, 13, 13 and 11 trilons) was adopted . This board was surrounded by a double - arched border of lights which flashed at the beginning and end of the round . Each trilon had three sides: a green side to represent spaces not used by the puzzle, a blank side to indicate a letter that had not been revealed, and a side with a letter on it . While the viewer saw a seamless transition to the next puzzle, with these older boards in segments where more than one puzzle was present, a stop - down of taping took place during which the board was wheeled offstage and the new puzzle loaded in by hand out of sight of the contestants . On February 24, 1997, the show introduced a computerized puzzle board composed of 52 touch - activated monitors in four rows (12 on the top and bottom rows, 14 in the middle two). To illuminate a letter during regular gameplay, the hostess touches the right edge of the monitor to reveal it . The computerized board obviated the stop - downs, allowing tapings to finish quicker at a lower cost to the production company . </P> <P> Although not typically seen by viewers, the set also includes a used letter board that shows contestants which letters are remaining in play, a scoreboard that is visible from the contestants' perspective, and a countdown clock . The used letter board is also used during the bonus round, and in at least one case, helped the contestant to see unused letters to solve a difficult puzzle . </P>

When did wheel of fortune get touch screens