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First Video Game
My dad finally let my 5 year old self play Nintendo with him. Zelda immediately hooked me in, and the main character, Link, launched my love of video games. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nintendo-entertainment-system-nes-classic-edition/5389100.p?skuId=5389100 -
First Time on a Computer
My Kindergarten teacher had computers in her classroom and would let us play games on them. She would also help us learn shapes, colors, and more in her class. https://tedstechshack.com/ -
Family Television
All my friends had tvs but my family didn't get one until Christmas of 1998. It was so cool finally being able to watch Saturday morning cartoons! Of course mom would also make me watch PBS and educational programs after school. http://intervideo.co/sony-xf34m65-wega-34-crt-television/ -
Home Internet
Internet was installed at my house during the summer of 2000. As a 8 year old, it was incredible having the world's knowledge right in our family room. https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news-just-25-adults-use-internet-in-india-pew-survey-448369 -
Online Gaming
My parents bought a year of Xbox Live for me at Christmas in 2003. I logged on that night and was able to play Halo with my friends online. That was on of the coolest moments in my childhood and it amazed me how that technology even worked. https://mspoweruser.com/a-look-back-on-the-original-xbox/ -
First Cellphone
I had wanted a cell phone for a few years, and finally my parents bought me one. It was my 12th birthday and was easily my favorite present ever. It was just one of those "brick" Nokia phones that had minimal functions, but I could now text and call my friends whenever I wanted. https://www.amazon.com/Nokia-6010-Unlocked-Phone-U-S-Warranty/dp/B000BYEUXI -
Walkman CD Player
I was never that into music until the summer after 8th grade. My friend Ian introduced me to Three Days Grace and I loved it. I went out that evening with my parents and used my allowance on their self-titled album and a Sony Walkman. It skipped and scratched up CDs, but I took that thing everywhere. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-D-EJ625-G-Protection-discontinued-manufacturer/dp/B00005ML1U -
iPod Nano
I quickly upgraded my Sony Walkman to an MP3 Player. My first iPod nano only held about 500 songs, but hey, it was better than only having 1 album at a time! https://www.lifewire.com/history-of-ipod-nano-1999657 -
The Original iPhone
When the first iPhone was released, I had to have it. I begged and begged and my parents replaced my old Nokia with the newest and best phone on the market. I was the first kid at Cabell Midland who had one and I thought I was the coolest person in the school. https://www.imore.com/iphone-2g -
First Personal Laptop
I was about to head off to college and my family got me a brand new laptop for a graduation gift. I was worried about how to get things done with just an iPhone and a desktop computer, but the laptop opened more opportunities to work on the go. https://www.lifewire.com/asus-x552ea-832113 -
Student iPads
I started teaching in Kanawha County in 2014. A few months later, they got a grant from Apple to go 1-to-1 iPads in their entire county. Having technology like that, which students could use everyday at school and at home, was a game changer. https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/apple-apple-ipad-mini-4-128gb-with-wi-fi-space-grey-mk9n2cl-a/10389497.aspx
