Technology has been changing at a break-neck speed and developments over the last few decades have really been incredible. But what was popular on your birthday?
We’ve put together a list of the most interesting, popular and powerful pieces of technology released over the years. From the 1960s right up to today. What was the most popular when you were born?
Etch A Sketch - 1960
Etch A Sketch was an absolutely amazing (yet simple) drawing toy that was released in 1960.
On the inside, aluminium powder would coat the screen and then could be scraped off by moving the integrated stylus to create patterns. A quick shake would reset the image too.
Though release in the 1960s, the Etch A Sketch would continue to be popular for many years to come.
First cordless drill - 1961
Unbelievably, the first cordless power tool dates all the way back to 1961.
It was a drill by Black & Decker that was powered by nickel-cadmium cells and finally freed people to drill wherever they happened to be. DIY was suddenly a whole lot easier.
Audio tapes - 1962
In 1962, Philips released the humble audiotape. It might not have picked up popularity until a few years laters, but this was the start of something special for portable music.
Easy-Bake Oven - 1963
The classic Easy-Bake Oven. One of those toys that’s been forever popular with endless generations of small people who have been learning to bake while playing.
The first computer mouse - 1964
The computer mousestarted life back in 1964. It was invented by Douglas Engelbart when working for Stanford Research Institute in California.
The original mouse had a wooden shell and got its name simply because the cable came out of the rear like a tail. This simple device would go on to be one of the main ways humans would interface with computers for years to come.
Polaroid Swinger - 1965
Polaroid Swinger was an incredibly popular, semi-inexpensive instant camera from Polaroid which essentially marked the start of the company’s popularity in that arena for years to come.
In 1965 it was available to purchase for $19.95 (roughly $165 in today’s money) which made it reasonably affordable and a hint among the younger market. Polaroid would go from strength to strength in the years that followed until the dawn of the smart phone and rise of digital cameras.
Philips portable radio - 1966
Philips invented the cassette tape in 1962 an pushed the new audio medium throughout that decade. So it made sense that in 1966 the company would release its first portable radio.
This was the first combination of portable radio and cassette recorder and proved incredibly popular with the masses.
Sony portable radio - 1967
In 1967, Sony released a tiny little portable radio that people loved. TheICR-100was the company’s first integrated circuit (IC) radio and featured a rechargeable battery that could last for up to six hours. Alas, it did take 14 hours to recharge.
This matchbook-sized radio came with a keychain strap and a two-tone colour scheme that really made it pop.
Sony Trinitron TV - 1968
In 1968, Sony launched the Trinitron range of televisions that represented a significant improvement over other TVs from the years previous.
Bright colours and better pictures soon saw these new sets becoming increasingly popular, despite the hefty price tag. So much so that they’d go on to sell over 100 million units worldwide.
Motorola HT220 - The Walkie Talkie - 1969
Walkie Talkies (portable radios) became a developing technology during WWII. Armies required the ability to communicate with troops as well as between divisions - calling in tank, air and artillery support from afar.
Motorola’s Handie-Talkie was the main piece of kit at that time, but as technology developed it was in 1969 that the company made a name for itself in the civilian market. The HT220 became synonymous with Walkie Talkie and the device proved incredibly popular and a lot more portable than its predecessors too.
