Retro Technology

From 1968's -2000's

Discover Retro Technology That Shaped Our Lives!

Dive into a nostalgic journey with retro technology that made a significant impact on our lives! From vintage gadgets to classic innovations, explore how these blasts from the past laid the foundation for the tech we use today. Experience the charm of yesteryear’s technology and see how it has shaped our modern world. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and history buffs alike!

1968: Apollo 8 Takes Flight

From the development of tortillas to the creation of the Hubble telescope, and from weather satellites to GPS, the impact of America's space program—and its military space research—has touched all our lives.

In 1968, Apollo 8 was initially intended for Lunar Module testing in low Earth orbit. However, due to production issues, the mission was reimagined. With the Command/Service Module ready for action, engineers proposed a daring new mission: sending humans around the Moon.

This historic mission not only marked a major achievement but also spurred countless technological advances and innovations. Moreover, the thrill of this human triumph inspired many young minds, including the author of this piece, to pursue careers in STEM fields.

1969: The Year Smoke Detectors Became a Household Hero.

While many people remember 1969 for the iconic Moon landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, there's another amazing tech breakthrough from that year that doesn’t get as much spotlight—but it’s just as life-saving!

In 1969, the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) gave the green light for the first smoke detectors designed for home use. These little gadgets, which you probably have in every room, contain a tiny bit of radioactive material that helps them detect smoke. Before this approval, smoke detectors weren’t available for everyday homes, but once they were, they became superheroes in our fight against fires.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that having working smoke alarms in your home can cut the risk of dying in a fire by half. So, while the Moon landing was a giant leap for mankind, smoke detectors were a giant leap for home safety!

1972: Pong—The Birth of Video Game Magic.

As I’m typing this, my wife is deep into Horizon Zero Dawn on her PlayStation 4. The game is a visual feast with its open world, stunning 4K graphics, and jaw-dropping HDR effects, making it look like a summer blockbuster you can actually play!

But rewind to 1972, and the world of video games was a far cry from today’s digital marvels. Back then, interactive games with their chunky graphics were only seen in labs, hooked up to massive computers. Enter Pong. This simple, yet groundbreaking game was the first to hit it big and kickstarted an industry that now dwarfs movies and music combined. Pong was the little paddle game that launched a gaming revolution!

1980-1982: Personal Computer (PC)

Personal computers have revolutionized the world, becoming as ubiquitous as cars and phones. First introduced in the 1970s, with notable models like the Apple II and IBM PC, these machines transformed how we interact with technology. The IBM PC, released in 1982, gave personal computers credibility due to IBM's reputation and was considered powerful for its time. My first PC had 64 kilobytes of RAM, a floppy disk drive, and a monochrome screen, offering unprecedented home computing capabilities.

IBM’s PC sparked two major revolutions: a software boom with business applications like word processors and spreadsheets, and a hardware revolution, as companies like Compaq cloned the PC, driving competition and innovation. By the 1980s, advancements in processors and hard drives made personal computers faster and more affordable, making them a household essential.

Late 70s-1980s  - Sony Walkman.

Few tech devices are as closely tied to the 1980s as the Sony Walkman. 

Released in the US and UK in 1980, this portable cassette player became the essential gadget of the era, allowing people to enjoy their favorite music on the go. It can be seen as the precursor to modern mobile music players like the iPod.

Priced at $150 (£100/$AU200) at launch—equivalent to around $500 (£350/$AU700) today—it was relatively affordable while also being sleek and portable. Sony continuously refined the Walkman’s design, cementing its status as a cultural icon.