-
Period: to
Technological developments
How and when many today's inventions were invented -
Microwave ovens
Though humankind got along just fine without microwaves before they were developed in the late 1940s, the invention has been a major game changer in terms of food preparation and the office break room. Not only have microwaves modernized the way we eat, they've also made meals far more convenient -- read quicker -- to prepare -
Personal Computer
No list of the "greatest technologies ever invented" is complete unless it includes the personal computer. The magazine Popular Mechanics reports the first general purpose computer was a 30-ton behemoth invented in 1947. Though an incredible machine, it was far too large for any home. The invention of the personal computer, or PC, happened in the 1970s and revolutionized the entire world. -
Cell Phone
The comparison between today's cell phones, which offer instantaneous and untethered communication, to the old-fashioned paper-and-pen process is nothing short of incredible. And the Nielsen ratings service predicted that one out of every two Americans would own smart phones at the end of 2011, according to the website GigOm. So it's not just calls these phones are good for; they offer a veritable banquet of computer access at your fingertips. -
Digital Music
Music has graced the world with its presence for thousands of years, but digitizing music has improved sound quality and sharing ability. Digital music also cuts back on waste, and it's only a matter of time before CDs, records and cassette tapes become obsolete. -
GPS
Thanks to the GPS, or Global Positioning System, and its integration in just about everything tech-related, most of you will never get lost again. And we're not talking just about those dashboard displays. The half of Americans carrying smart phones likely have GPS apps guiding the way. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, GPS was originally developed in 1978 by the U.S. military.
