The most popular tech gadget from the year you were born

Zoë Ettinger,Matthew WilsonAug 18, 2020, 20:15 IST

Computer mice and transistor radios have changed the way we live our lives.Comstock Images/Getty Images

Almost every year since 1950 has seen a new gadget that's changed the way we use technology.
The first microwave oven was invented in 1955 and made cooking faster and more convenient than ever.
Both external and internal pacemakers, which were released in the 1950s, have saved lives.
In 1977, the first home Apple computer, the Apple II, was released.

Inventors have long been changing the way we use technology through home gadgets. Inventions, like the microwave in 1955, have offered us greater convenience and and improved our daily lives in myriad ways.

Other inventions like external and internal pacemakers, both created in the '50s, have not just improved lives — they've saved them. According to the BBC, 1.25 million pacemakers are fitted each year, and it all started over half a century ago.

In 1977, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak revolutionized home technology when they produced the first highly popular home computer, the Apple II.

Take a look at what world-changing gadget was invented or launched the year you were born.

In 1950, Zenith Electronics introduced the first remote controls, which were connected to television sets by wires.

One of the earliest remote controls modeled by Rosemarie Bowe in 1951. Bettmann/Getty Images

Charles Ginsburg, a researcher at Ampex Corporation, invented the videotape recorder in 1951, according to Smithsonian.

One of the first videotape recorders. SSPL/Getty Images

The first transistor radio was made in 1954 by Texas Instruments and was called the Regency TR-1.

Transistor radios. Comstock Images/Getty Images

In 1955, Tappan released the first microwave oven designed for consumers. It made cooking faster and easier than ever.

A 1955 microwave oven. Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1956, IBM released the first computer hard drive to be sold commercially. Hard drives store digital data like documents, computer programs, and applications.

A computer hard drive. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In 1957, the first battery-operated, wearable pacemaker was sold to consumers. It used an electric current to help regulate heart problems.

One of the earliest pacemakers from General Electric. Bettmann/Getty Images

The first modem, a machine that can translate data, was released in 1958. It revolutionized communication and paved the way for the internet.

An old dial-up modem. Business Insider

In 1959, internal pacemakers became available. They can treat more serious heart conditions than external pacemakers can.

The first implantable pacemaker made at St George's Hospital in the UK. SSPL/Getty Images

In 1960, the portable television was put on the market. It allowed viewers to watch television anywhere.

A vintage portable television. Lawrence Manning/Getty Images

The first audio cassette tapes were released in 1962. Their small size made them a convenient way to listen to pre-recorded music.

An audio cassette tape. Lawrence Manning/Getty Images

In 1963, Douglas Engelbart, an engineer and inventor, created the first computer mouse. It was made of wood and had just one button.

Computer mice. Comstock Images/Getty Images

Bell Telephone's Picturephone went on display at the 1964 World's Fair. Much like video calls today, it let callers see the person on the other line.

A 1964 picturephone in Japan. Bentley Archive/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images

In 1965, Duane D. Pearsall and Stanley B. Peterson invented battery-powered smoke alarms that could easily be installed and replaced in homes.

Home smoke alarm. Tetra Images/Getty Images

In 1967, Texas Instruments released the handheld calculator, the first model that could fit in a pocket.

Handheld calculator. mamiw/Shutterstock

In 1968, random-access memory (RAM), was invented. It is considered one of the most significant advances in computer technology, according to MIT.

Random Access Memory (RAM). Getty Images

The microcassette was developed by the Olympus Corporation in 1969.

A microcassette. Shutterstock

Japanese inventor Yoshiro Nakamatsu, also known as Dr. NakaMats, is credited with inventing the floppy disk in 1970.

Floppy disks. Martin Child/Getty Images

The food processor was invented by Pierre Verdon in Paris in 1971.

A new food processor. Zola.com

Video game developer Allan Alcorn created Pong, which was released by Atari in 1972.

Atari Pong. Getty/Sascha Steinbach

Motorola released the first mobile phone in 1973. As seen in this photo, they were far clunkier than today's models.

Motorola Vice President John F. Mitchell in 1976. Bettmann/Getty Images

Inside an Ohio store in 1974, a barcode scanner was used for the very first time. Barcode scanners greatly reduced checkout line times.

A barcode scanner. Shutterstock

Steven Sasson, an engineer at Eastman Kodak, invented digital photography and made the first digital camera in 1975.

The earliest digital camera model. Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images

VHS, or Video Home System, was developed by JVC in 1976. It made movies widely available for home viewing.

VHS tapes. Michal Chmurski/Shutterstock

Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs invented the Apple II, one of the earliest home computers, in 1977.

Apple II computer. Mark Madeo/Future via Getty Images

In 1978, LaserDisc launched as a home movie rival to the VHS tape and later the DVD.

LaserDisc. Doug Griffin/Getty Images

Launching in 1979, the Walkman cassette player was invented by designer Norio Ohga. It was the first way to privately listen to music on the go.

A Walkman. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

Nintendo engineer Gunpei Yokoi developed the Game & Watch handheld game systems in 1980.

Game & Watch series. vsop/Shutterstock

Developed by the IBM Corporation in 1981, the IBM Personal Computer was one of the first personal computers on the market.

IBM Personal Computer. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

In 1982, the first compact disc (CD) player hit the market and changed the way people listened to music.

Philips Model CD100. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

In 1983, Betamovie became one of the first camcorders available to consumers.

Betamovie camcorder. ullstein bild Dtl/Getty Images

Developed by Apple in 1984, the Macintosh launched as competition to the IBM Personal Computer.

An Apple Macintosh. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

In 1985, Nintendo entered the home-gaming system market with the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES.

The NES. SOPA Images/Getty Images

In 1986, the Japanese public was introduced to the first disposable film camera on the market.

The Fujifilm QuickSnap. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Though it didn't go on sale for three years, the first LCD projector was developed in 1987.

LCD projector. nikkytok/Shutterstock

Kicking off the video game console wars, the Sega Genesis launched in 1988. However, it had a different name abroad: the Mega Drive.

Sega Genesis. GamesMaster Magazine/Getty Images

In 1989, Nintendo developed and released one of the best-selling video game systems of all time: the Game Boy.

Game Boy. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

First developed by Thomas and John Knoll in 1987, the first commercial version of Photoshop launched in 1990.

Photoshop. Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Two researchers at the University of Cambridge accidentally developed the webcam in 1991.

A webcam. New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images

Though development started in 1987, the Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush wasn't released until 1992.

A Sonicare toothbrush. Kirk McKoy/Getty Images

The Apple Newton MessagePad, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), went on sale in 1993.

The Apple Newton MessagePad. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

Released in 1994, the IBM Simon was the first PDA that also had telephone functionality.

IBM Simon vs an iPhone. Rob Stothard/Getty Images

Launched in 1995, the Virtual Boy was designed by Nintendo as a foray into the world of virtual reality.

Virtual Boy. Retro Gamer Magazine/Getty Images

In 1996, the DVD player entered the market as a challenger to both the VHS tape and LaserDisc for home media.

DVD player. JUNJI KUROKAWA/Getty Images

Created by Bandai, the Tamagotchi was first released in 1997 in the United States.

A Tamagotchi. Ted Thai/Getty Images

A precursor of what was to come in the 2000s, the first MP3 music player was released in 1998.

The Diamond Rio PMP300. Getty Images

TiVo first launched in 1999, and was developed by Mike Ramsay and Jim Barton.

A TiVo remote. Star Tribune via Getty Images/Getty Images

In 2000, the first camera phones hit the market, and thus the selfie was born.

A VisualPhone VP-210. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Getty Images

In 2001, the first iPod was released by Apple.

iPod. Getty Images

Launched by iRobot, the Roomba made its debut in 2002.

Roomba. Douglas McFadd/Getty Images

Launched in 2003 by Tiger Electronics, VideoNow was a portable video player targeted at children and teens.

VideoNow. Scott Gries/Getty Images

In 2004, Nintendo released its highly successful Nintendo DS handheld system.

Nintendo DS. GamesMaster Magazine/Getty Images

The Xbox 360 was designed by Microsoft and released in 2005.

Xbox 360. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Getty Images

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