Technology through the 1970s

Digital Watches

1970

Before the 1970s, wristwatches were exclusively analog. However, the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey along with the James Bond films rounded up excitement for this new type of watch. The first LED watch was released by the Hamilton Watch Company and was named the "Pulse". Today, many wristwatches are digital but are declining to the convenience of cellphone clocks.

Floppy Disk

1971

The floppy disk was introduced by the technology company IBM. Its purpose was to be able to upload updates and documents onto computers before that ability was given to the internet. It later went on to being able to save and transport pieces of information from one computer to another. While no longer used, it has become the international symbol for saving.

Cell Phone

1973

The very first cell phone was created by Martin Cooper, an engineer for Motorola. It was as large as a head and could only sustain a 30 minute call at maximum, but it set the foundation for the mini-computers everyone has today.

Barcode Scanner

1974

Barcodes were invented in the 1950s, but it wasn't until 1974 that the scanner needed to determine the price of an item was invented by Norman Woodland. Though the first item scanned was just a pack of gum, the technology has allowed checking out at a store to be much more efficient.

Walkman

1979

Music exclusive to one listener where ever they preferred did not exist until 1979. During this year, Sony first released the "Walkman". It was a small and portable radio/ cassette player that could clip on to a listener's belt. Over time, this technology evolved to cd players, iPods, and eventually to our cellphones.