The Big Tech Boom
It might not cross your mind often, but our everyday lives have been dramatically enhanced by the boom of technology. From personal computers to the smartphones in our pockets, it's hard to imagine a day without these devices. And that's no surprise—the past 50 years have been a whirlwind for technology, and these inventions have greatly transformed how we live, work, and play. Ready for a quick look back? Here are five technology milestones from the last half-century that have shaped the modern world.
1. Smartphones
You likely can't imagine a day without your smartphone; after all, it's the device that allows you to keep connected to your loved ones, play games, scroll through social media, and do so much more. While the first smartphone came around in the early 1990s, the boom didn't start until the release of the first iPhone by Apple in 2007.
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2. Personal Computers
Remember when computers were big, clunky machines that required multiple parts to work? They've now gradually become extremely portable and compact, with some as thin as a blade yet still able to run as many tasks as a regular desktop computer might.
3. The Internet
It's hard to imagine life without the internet, and those who have grown up with it won't ever be able to survive a day without it. And yet, the "invention" of the internet didn't happen all too long ago; though it was a gradual process, many cite its official birth to be January 1, 1983.
4. Social Media Platforms
From Facebook to YouTube, Instagram to Snapchat, Twitter (X) to TikTok, social media has rapidly changed and reformed throughout the last few decades. It's become increasingly easier to connect with not only our friends and family through these platforms, but also to connect with people all across the globe.
5. Artificial Intelligence
Some of us can probably recall a time, not too long ago, when AI wasn't so advanced and reliable yet. It has come a long way since its start in the 1940s and 50s, and now, people all over the world likely can't imagine living without this sort of new automation and technological intelligence.
