Technology Advancements During My Lifetime by Michelle Howell

  • Sony Walkman

    Sony Walkman
    Sony Walkman became available in the USA the year I was born. I remember these audio devices being popular for much of my childhood. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
  • Macintosh computers first made by Apple

    Macintosh computers first made by Apple
    The Macintosh computer was first made by Apple. This is the first computer I remember operating later when I was in first grade. The computer was complete with a floppy disk that was actually floppy. I enjoyed playing The Oregon Trail on the Macintosh computer at school. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
  • Laptops

    Laptop computers with LCD screens were invented. It was years before I was able to use or own one.
  • The World Wide Web was created

    Thinks to Tim Berners-Lee, the world wide web was created and available to everyone. I was in middle school during this time and remember some of my first moments online.
  • Oldsmobile offers first vehicle GPS navigation system

    Oldsmobile offers first vehicle GPS navigation system
    Almost everyone uses GPS of some sort to navigate while driving these days. However, I can remember navigating the old fashioned way- with a map when I first learned to drive. The world seemed like a much larger place then. Thanks Oldsmobile!!
  • First MP3 Player

    First MP3 Player
    The first MP3 players became available in the USA. This one pictured here is the AT&T FlashPac. This replaced the beloved Sony Walkman.
  • Bluetooth

    Bluetooth- a new way to connect devices in close proximity using short-wavelength radio waves was released by SIG. The SIG group was formed to develop this technology in 1998 and Bluetooth 1.0 was released the following year. This changed the way devices in close proximity are connected. So many of my devices are bluetooth including my telephone, wireless headphones, fitbit, car, laptop, cameras, and even my TV. Photo courtesy of bluetooth.com
  • Flash drives

    Flashdrives emerged and replaced all sorts of storage media, including floppy disks and CDs. The amount of storage available on a flash drive has increased dramatically.
  • Broadband

    Broadband internet service was readily available to people in the USA, including our area. Half of internet users still used dial up connections. This may be the single greatest improvement in technology ever. I remember trying to do research during my first undergraduate career using a dial up connection.
  • iPhone

    iPhone
    Apple released it's first iPhone and proved to the world that one device could do so much. I purchased the first iPhone and was thrilled. I have bought many more since. Photo courtesy of Apple Insider.