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Walt Disney produces first full-length animated feature
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length animated feature film to be produced. It was in Technicolor and changed the movie industry as we know it today. Walt Disney was a pioneer in the film and media industry with this film. (History, 2020) -
Fireside Chats become popular via radio
Franklin Delano Roosevelt popularized radio communication with his fireside chats. Here he would discuss the Great Depression successes as well as World War II. This came at a time where nearly 90% of the US had access to radio. This technology grew to overtake newspapers. (Biser) -
Pearl Harbor reported over radio
This event was the beginning of World War II. Explosions could be heard through the radio broadcast via KTU in Honolulu. Live newscasters were heavily relying on teletyping and wire services. This broadcast was the one to break the news to the world. This was the beginning of live reporting. Listen to the live radio report here (http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5167/) (Cepeda, 2018) -
Cable television debuts
While there were not many cable television channels or providers to choose from, in 1948, the American consumer could subscribe to cable programming with television antennae. From here, cable television evolved to include satellite and paid television subscriptions. -
Color televisions make their first debut
RCA and CBS both tested color television technology. CBS was approved by the FCC while RCA had to go back to the drawing board due to low picture quality. This revolutionized televisions, however, color televisions would not become popular until later. CBS began "Operation Rainbow" where they attempted to make color television more appealing. (Rosenberg, 2020) -
President Harry Truman makes transcontinental television broadcast
President Harry S. Truman's speech regarding the acceptance of a treaty that would end World War II occupation of Japan was heard all over the world. This was due to technological advances that was made possible by state-of-the-art broadcasting techniques. This was the beginning of new ways to broadcast live television. (History) -
Philips introduces first compact cassette for storage of audio
Philips would eventually become standard format for audio cassettes as they were able to license the technology to other companies. In 1964, we see it more common for US homes to include a cassette tape player. Music albums came shortly after with artists like Johnny Mathis and Eartha Kitt releasing albums on cassette. (Roemer) -
ARPANET created the first "Internet"
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (or ARPANET) was originally funded by the US Department of Defense as a way to communicate between multiple devices on a single network. This would begin the Internet as we know it today. In 1969, the first message was sent from one device to another marking a moment in history where we would never look back. (Andrews, 2019) -
IBM introduces first personal computer
The idea behind the first personal computer was simplicity. IBM wanted to create something that all homes could access and use. The price tag was $1565 which made them fairly affordable for the average household. This made the computer an accessible and helpful appliance for everyone that would change how we use technology. (IBM) -
Compact discs were introduced to the public
In 1979, a small, circular storage disc was created that would replace the audio cassette for audio storage. In 2007, it was estimated that over 200 billion CDs were sold to consumers worldwide. CDs created a more accessible way to navigate your audio files. You could skip to the track you wanted and they would not break as easily as large records. (BBC, 2019) -
Introduction of DVDs
DVDs were introduced in 1997 and slowly took over VHS as the more popular video storage device. DVD players outsold VCRs in 2002 revolutionizing the way that we watch movies and shows. (Uhlig, 2004) -
Six Degrees launches as first social media site
Six Degrees was founded by Andrew Weinrich in 1996 and is the beginning of social networking. This social media network had many registered users, but many found it inaccessible because of lack of internet access at the time. It would take many years for the infrastructure of the Internet to catch up to what Six Degrees needed to be successful. This site included friends lists, school affiliations, and full profiles. (CBS News) -
iPods launch popularizing the MP3 player
Apple launched the first portable music player that supported MP3 in 2001. The original iPod had limited storage space and was chunky to carry around. Later models included new touch sensitive click wheels and more storage space. This product popularized the concept of moving toward digital audio storage. (Lanxon, Hoyle, 2011) -
Broadband internet in more than half of American homes
Broadband internet would replace dial-up internet in most homes by 2004. Cable broadband included faster speeds and the ability to access the internet without tying up home phone lines. Wireless internet also became popular around this time making the internet more accessible to the common home. (Plusnet) -
iPhone launch starting popularizing smart phones
Steve Jobs introduces us to the iPhone in 2007. This device revolutionized mobile phones and began what we now know as smart phones. These phones included touch screens, iPod access, camera, and Web-browsing capabilities. This was innovative at the time and by November 2007, more than 1.4 million units were sold. In 2008, the App store was launched creating a whole new world for technology and media. (History)
