-
Radio
I've been exposed to the radio since birth. Because of this, I don't have any memorable moments regarding the radio. It has also been part of my life. Obviously in the century between when it was invented (1895) and when I first heard it, it was very different. Even today, the radio is incredibly different than it was in 1997. -
Internet
In the 1980's, the internet made its debuts in the U.S. It basically changed everything. By 2001, when I first introduced to the internet, I didn't realize how much it could do. The internet had cool games and that was about all I used it for. As I've gotten older, I've realized how amazing the internet is. After a few years of using the internet, I signed up for an email account, eventually had numerous social media accounts, and now it has been incorporated into nearly every aspect of my life. -
Email
Although it was invented in 1972, I wasn't really introduced to email until 2004. At that point, it was the only way to connect with friends besides calling them. I specifically remember collecting my friends emails over the summer and being SO excited that I would get to talk to them. It was the closest thing to texting or instant messaing that I had at that point. It was kind of the start to the instant messaging and texting in my life. -
HDTV
My family first upgraded to HDTVs in 2008, 15 years after the official release of the TVs in the U.S. I don't have very many memories from getting the HDTV. I don't think I truly understood the technology or what was special about it. To me, it was just a TV, not anything different from the TV we already had. -
Cellphone
I got my first cell phone almost 20 years after the invention of flip phones (1989). I remember how excited I was to finally have a phone. The phone could call, text, and take pictures. Compared to the features smart phones have today, my Samsung phone was very limited, but at the time it was my "dream phone." During the 20 year gap between the first phone and this phone, there was time for technological improvements. It was very compact and definitely more "high-tech" than older phones. -
Social Media
My first social media profile was in MySpace. Although it was founded in 2003, it was still the first choice of social media at this time. Initially, my parents were very hesitant about MySpace, but allowed it after a lot of persuasion. Over the next few years, I expanded to other sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Each site has gone through popular phases and also cycled out of my everyday usage. -
IPod
Before having a smart phone, I had an iPod. This was the first type of personal technology I had. After eight years on the market, the iPod had gone through several versions and at the time, seemed like the most high-tech thing I could possibly have. Now looking back, it's crazy to think about a phone adn an iPod being two separate items. In 2009, having an iPod was a big deal, and now, 8 years later, they seem so out of date. -
Video Games
My first video game console was a Nintendo Gameboy. I continued on to have a Nintendo DS and a Wii. All three were new an exciting when I got them. The Wii was like nothing I had ever seen before. With the wireless controllers, it honestly seemed so futuristic at the time. The gameboy was first released in 1989, and has substantial upgrades by the time I owned one. The DS and Wii were both relatively new to the market. -
Smart Phone (iPhone)
After having a cell phone for a few years, I upgraded to an iPhone 3G. The first iPhone was released in 2007 and after only three years, they still were a big deal. The idea of having a smart phone, basically meaning you had a computer in your hands, was mind-blowing. After using the iPhone 3G for a while, I became an Apple fan and have used iPhones since. -
iPad
In high school, all students were given iPads. Every student was so excited at the thought of using iPads instead of paper. At the time, it was the most amazing improvement. The first iPad was released in 2010, making them a fairly new innovation. This newness added to the overall excitement adn amazement of having an iPad.
