The genesis of the new technology came in 2010 when Frederic Opsomer, CEO of --the company that made the LCD paddles--told the London Organizing Committee he could put a screen anywhere. Later the opening ceremony team, led by British film director and producer Danny Boyle, asked Opsomer if he could turn the audience into a screen.

Tait Technologies now calls the technology "Landscape video" and says each of its handheld video tablets can be individually programmed and viewed at 180 degrees both horizontally and vertically.

In 14 weeks, 50 designers from digital media company for the show, working at a secret London office where they used extra air conditioners to cool computer processors. Crystal says it received requests for additional content until the last minute before the show.

According to The Journal, the London 2012 opening show cost $42 million to produce. Whether or not you feel the show was worth it, you can't deny that pixelating an audience is an impressive feat.