Greatest Technologies Of The Past
Technology is an amazing thing — it's constantly evolving and surprising, and you never know what the next big technology will be. Over the years, there has been a series of incredible inventions, from office technology to medical technology, all of which should be celebrated without a doubt!
Can you imagine life without a TV remote? Well, it was invented in just 1955, by a man named Eugene Polley. The first-ever remote worked rather like a flashlight, with ultrasound being added in the 1980s. These days, most remote controls use infrared — but what an invention!
In 1957, the birth control pill was invented. The FDA approved the drug initially for menstruation problems, adding that it may affect ovulation as a side effect. Fast-forward to 1959, and half a million Americans were using the drug. It was then approved for use as a contraceptive in what has to be regarded as one of the most impressive technological advances ever.
Have you traveled inside a Boeing 707? The 702-102 debuted in 1958, with the ability to carry 181 passengers at 600 mph. A full tank of fuel meant the Boeing could fly uninterrupted for 5,280 miles. The first flight was from New York to Paris, and soon after a domestic link between New York and Los Angeles was established. This was the first successful commercial plane, and changed the face of holidays worldwide!
There is some great technology tucked away in your office, too. The mouse was invented in 1962, and was initially called a mouse by its inventor — a name that has never changed. It wasn't until 1973 that cell phones were invented, allowing us to stay in touch on the move, and online faxing was a change everyone working from a home office needed!
There has also been huge technology advances for home life. In 1978, in vitro fertilization was introduced, answering the prayers of couples finding it impossible to conceive. The first test-tube baby, Louise Mullinder, spoke about her pride and her own desire to have children at her wedding in 2003.
In 1978, the FDA approved Prozac as the first anti-depressant that actively blocks serotonin uptake, to make good moods last longer. Within five years, 4.5 million Americans were taking the drug, which both increased knowledge of how chemicals could alter personality and mood, and made psychiatric drugs much more socially accepted.
And, the final massive technology discovery? IEEE 802.16, in 2002. Created by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, this wi-fi boost can transmit an internet connection more than 30 miles, at speeds comparable to a wired internet connection. It's a massive discovery, not only for people needing faster Internet in their home offices, but also for companies and whole nations that are aiming for a completely wireless internet system!