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Media Arts
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The Windshield Wiper
The Windshield Wiper was invented and patented by Mary Anderson in 1903 but her invention was considered impractical and many different companies turned her down. It wasn't until the 1910s that a simalar device was added to cars which was after Mary's patent had expired. -
The Vacuum Cleaner
Vaccums are used worldwide, almost everyday and although they have evolved a ton since they were first invented, the purpose is the same. The first vaccum was sold to William Hoover in 1908 and essentially was an electric broomstick. Today, we have thousands of different attachments for vacuums that allow you to not only clean your carpets, but also clean all your floors, small corners and even your couches! The newest vaccums move themselves and are known as Roombas. -
Stenographic Machine
Steneographic or Stenotype Machines are one of the only technological inventions that haven't had major changes to the original design. This invention was especially important during World War ll when lots of dictation was needed. Although these were heavily used in the 1900s, they are not used on a daily basis today and are mainly used in court rooms. -
Film and Radio
The 1920's were a big year for the Media Arts, but more popular than anything was film and radio. The pair were so popular that people decribed the push as 'exploding' and 'booming'. This demand also started an insterest in academic programming known as broadcasating, which is now offered at most colleges and universities. Today, the highest earning radio stations are based out of the United States, the leading being WTOP from Washington, DC earning $69 million. -
The First Computer
The 'first computer' is a conversational topic, as there are about 20 'first' computers. These range from the first programmable computer to the first microcomputer to the first personal computer. These were all released between 1938 - 1985. One of the most widely known technology companies, Apple released their first computer in 1976, The Apple 1 and sold it for $666.66. -
Wartime Inventions
World War ll helped to boost the science and technology research, this undoubtably led to many many new technologies to change life during and after the war. Boosting this research was the government funding and produced antibiotic penicillian and sythentic rubber. Wartime inventions include; radar, jet engine, helicopters, and (portable) computers. -
The Widespread Use of Television
At the start of the decade, less that 20% of households had a televison, by the end of the decade, 90% of households had a televison. To adapt to this increase more stations, channels and programs were added. Other business were affected as well, things like books and radio stations had their sales rapidly decrease and the term "couch potato" was more commonly used. -
The Internet
When the Internet was first develped, it was only used for university researchers, military, and the government. It wasn't until decades later (1995) that many of the restrictions were lifted. The Internet has evolved since the 1960s, adapting to fit to our ever changing needs and wants -
Home Security System
As expected, the home security system was invented due to high crime rates and notoriously slow police. The inventor, Marie Van Brittan Brown decided to find a solution to their problem and created a security system with closed circuit televison. Marie finished the product in 1966 and patented it in 1969. -
Hot Tubs
Hot Tubs were made commerically available in 1968 and have been evolving ever since. The first 'hot tub' was known as 'The Roman Bath' and the jets were added by a machinist who had a son suffering from arthritis pain. -
The Floppy Disk
There were around 5 billion floppy disks sold around the globe just in one year! These were the main storage option that people used for over 20 years, until a new storage option came around. In the last 5 years, companies have taken their turns stopping their production until they have ultimitly died out. -
The Walkman
Sony first introduced the portable cassette player in 1979 and was called a different name in each country until settling with The Walkman. This giant leap into new technology was extremely popular right up until Apple lauched its iPod MP3 player. The 80s can even be referred to as 'The Walkman Decade' as other companies soon began following in Sony's footsteps. -
Video Games
Video Games became extremely popular in the 80s, so popular in fact that there was a massive 'crash' in 1983 due to the over use of low quality games. The crash was big enough that many companies went bankrupt but it also helped to evolve and change the games to operate better. Today, we have many video games, most of which are constantly operating and getting used. -
The Evolved Internet
The Internet has exploded! Not literally, instead its just evolved. This decade introduces new ways to distrubute and share information, technology such as e-mail or online gaming. Restrictions on who can access the Internet are lifted in 1995 and now anyone can manipulate images, access information and construct their very own websites! Other companies website look more aestheticly pleasing - thank to the use of images, and information is easier to find. -
Netflix
Netflix was invented by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California in 1997 but wasn't quite commercial until 1999 where they started offering the Netflix subscription through the internet. Once a customer chose a movie or TV show, the DVDs were then mailed to them with prepaid return envelopes. In 2006, Netflix started a $1 million prize to see who could improve their recommendation system, which was achieved in 2009. 2007, Netflix offered streamed movies through the internet. -
Media Art Sharing
With new and improved technologies, we're able to admire media artworks from both upclose and far away. Muesems are finding new ways and inventions for preserving artwork and the Internet has expanded so that we're able to share artworks viturally and across the globe. With new found information, companies are able to put in polices and procedures to preserve artworks and use new technologies to install other artworks. -
Motion Control
Before motion control, we used Wii remotes to have our dance moves and fake bowling throws seen by the TV. Now both Sony and Microsoft have started to use eye and full body cameras to track your movements and voices. This new technology had people all over the world throwing away their Wii remotes and PlayStation Joysticks! -
Owl Labs Meet Owl Pro
Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, virtual meetings were used every single day but they came with their struggles. The Owl Pro is to be placed on your desk or a corner of the room and connects to your computer, Owl will focus the camera and microphone on the person who is talking and is able to follow conversations. Their customers are mainly schools ranging from K-12 to University. -
The SuperDeker
The SuperDeker is a video game that acts as a training aid for hockey players. The board lights up in different spots and the goal is to move the puck over those lights as fast as possible, another light will turn on right away and everything is repeated. The sides of the board and made from a belt like material so that you can pass your puck off of them and the board has multiple different settings for different skill sets. This training aid is a great way to better your stickhandling! -
A High Tech Tutor
ABii is a robot tutor made for students in grades K-5 and focuses mainly on math and reading. ABii is designed to work both with teachers and kids and uses a camera to spot changes in students so ABii can alter the tutoring stratagies used on each child. ABii is for sale for $999 using the school plan, which comes with 30 student licences and regularly updated lesson plans. The home plane is $599 with 3 student lisences. This idea was pitched on Shark Tank but had no luck with the entrepreneurs.