Products and Technology In Our Lifetime

Think of all the technology and products that have been made available to the public since we were born. There are so many things that have either been invented or made available to the common person in our lifetime. We have so many things around us daily that we take for granted that weren't even available to the average person, and in some cases, to anyone, back when we were kids 20 years ago. I thought of a quick list of some of the things that are so common now that we probably take for granted:

The Internet: We just log on daily without even thinking. We blog away, e-mail, and do most of our daily functions online. Can you even remember life without it?

The Microwave Oven: Although this was invented a long time ago, the microwave oven became commonplace in the 1980's. I do remember being a small child before the microwave. Heating things up took forever! TV dinners took like an hour in the oven!

The VCR: Another 1980's boom. Before the VCR, if you were out and missed your show, tough luck! The VCR made it easier to catch up on your shows and to see movies you missed at the theaters.

Cell Phones: This tehnology was around during the Vietnam War, but not really made very available to the average person until the mid 90's. Ten year olds walk around with these now. We've come a long way with these just in the past 10 years.

CD/CD Player: I clearly remember the cassette tape and the vinyl album. Both were cool, but the first time I heard a CD, I was hooked. The quality was amazing.

IPOD: Personal electronics at it's finest. The idea of carrying 10,000 songs with you still blows my mind.

Digital Camera: Taking pictures without fumbling for film or heading to the local drug store to have the film developed. How cool is this?

Camcorder: Another 1980's big hit. The average family was able to catch some memorable moments on tape and just pop it into your VCR for viewing right after. This was exciting when it first was affordable to the average Joe.

Cable TV/Satellite TV: Where would we be without this? MTV put many artists on the map, movies, cooking channels, home improvements, nature, you name it, there's a channel for everyone.

Walkman: This started the personal electronic gadget craze. Back in the early 80's you were cutting edge if you paraded around with one of these.

ATM Machine: No more waiting on lines at the bank to withdraw $40.00! How did we survive before these? I don't think I've physically been in my bank in over two years.

Calculator: This was more a mid to late 70's deal. They were downright expensive when they first came out. Now you can get one for $5.

Fax Machine: Before e-mail, the internet, and the scanner, faxes were the shit. I was fascinated by the fax when they first came out. That an image of a document could be transmitted through wires to someone else.....wow. Now it's like whatever.

UPC Barcode Scanners: Remember stores before the scanners? They would hand ring everything. If something did not have a price sticker on it, they would call for a price and the line would never move.

DVD: The VCR on a whole new level. Who does not love the DVD???

All these things became mainstream in our lifetime. Not a bad time to be alive, huh? I wonder what things we'll be adding to the list 20 years from now that have not even been thought of yet. I couldn't picture life without any of these today. Did I miss any good ones?