[Owning an Atari 800 XL personal computer] was the first time in my life that I truly remember seeing how quickly technology advances and evolves. … One of the cool things about having a computer for so long back then was seeing how more advanced techniques were learned the longer the platform was around. People learned tricks and how to utilize bugs in the architecture to do things that were originally thought impossible. I can truly say that from the moment my dad hooked it up and showed me how to turn it on, my life changed forever.
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Life changersLocals share memories of the pieces of tech that changed everything for them
High-tech hall of fame
Every year since 1973, the National Inventors Hall of Fame has celebrated a new group of “legendary inventors whose innovations and entrepreneurial endeavors have changed the world.” Here’s a sampling of the technologies considered worthy of commemoration:[Note: The innovations being honored weren’t necessarily created in the year the inventor responsible was inducted.]2015: Artificial skin, waterproof diaper cover, surgical needle, Bluetooth, dry cleaning, 3D imaging, blue light-emitting diodes (LED), nickel-metal hydride battery2010: Video games, synthetic diamonds, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), global positioning system (GPS), Post-it Notes2005: Locomotive engine, frozen foods, color photo film, modern photocopiers, gas mask, three-way traffic signal, solid-body electric guitar2000: AM radio, manufacturing of titanium and its alloys, Apple I (the personal computer)1995: Medical respirator, Kevlar polymer fiber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic penicillin, induction coil, electrical transformer1990: Peanut products, videotape recording, catalytic converters, CT (computerized tomographic) scan1985: Magnetic recording, air conditioner, artificial heart, Teflon1980: Electrical ignition, electron microscope, FM radio1975: X-ray, radio, electro-magnetic motor, airplanes, telegraph
Our greatest breakthroughs
In the November 2013 issue of The Atlantic, a panel of 12 scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers and historians of technology compiled a list of the 50 greatest technological breakthroughs since the wheel. Here are their Top 20 selections:1. The printing press (1430s)2. Electricity (late 19th century)3. Penicillin (1928)4. Semi-conductor electronics (mid-20th century)5. Optical lenses (13th century)6. Paper (second century)7. Internal combustion engine (late 19th century)8. Vaccination (1796)9. The Internet (1960s)10. The steam engine (1712)11. Nitrogen fixation/modern fertilizers (1918)12. Sanitation systems (mid-19th century)13. Refrigeration (1850s)14. Gunpowder (10th century)15. The airplane (1903)16. The personal computer (1970s)17. The compass (12th century)18. The automobile (late 19th century)19. Industrial steelmaking (1850s)20. Birth control pill (1960)
Personal favorites
Do you have a tech gadget that changed your life? Go to timesfreepress.com and tell us about it.
Placed side by side with any modern desktop or smartphone, the Commodore 64 personal computer doesn’t seem like an especially inspiring example of technological achievement.