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Tech To Remember: Gadgets That Got Lost In Time

Time teaches the most valuable lesson. The lesson of utter insignificance and evolution. The same holds for the rapid pace of innovations and technology. The 20th century witnessed countless inventions that went on to make life comfortable. However, with the break-neck pace of innovations, many gadgets that were once hailed as a blessing soon faded into oblivion.

While their significance may have eroded, these gadgets paved the way for numerous technological advancements that are evident in modern times. The gadgets from the 1980s and 1990s may seem odd and displaced in 2022, but they hold a timeless allure. The 1990s and early 2000s offered a wide range of improvements in home computing and consumer technology, from Pagers to GameBoys. On 75th anniversary of Independence Day, here’s a look at some of the tech devices that take every millennial back in time.

Boombox

Before the invention of high-definition audio devices, Boombox let people listen to their favourite music anytime and anywhere. Partially due to its bulky box-like appearance and its bass-enhancing power speakers, the portable and battery-operated radio/cassette player saw a meteoric rise. It was introduced in the US sometime in the 1980s and gradually it became a global phenomenon. With the evolution of musical styles and the boombox’s pervasiveness on the streets, these portable radios grew bigger over time, some of them even reaching the size of a suitcase.

Polaroid Sun AF 660

Polaroid cameras made a splash in recent times thanks to the One Step+ analogue instant cameras. These cameras are essentially digital polaroid cameras with their retro aesthetic intact. The first Polaroid camera was invented by American scientist Edwin H Land in 1948. Even as the newer variants of the Polaroid camera are making waves, original models such as the Polaroid Autofocus Lightmixer 660 can still be discovered on auction sites. The Autofocus 660, commonly known as the AF 660, was a member of the Polaroid 600 series and the first camera in the line to feature the company’s patented Sonar Autofocus technology. It had a 116mm lens. To get an accurate focused picture, this system used sensors to determine how far the subject was using sonar pulses.

Discman

Remember the Discman? The Discman was introduced in 1984 and in less than a decade it became one of the most preferred gadgets for every music lover. Despite having little to no anti-skip, the wildly popular Discman D121 model was adored. Millennials share a special bond with the device that offered them crisp audio at their convenience. The launch of Discman paved the way for portable CD players; there was an exponential rise in the number of CD titles.

The Original iMac: Macintosh

The Original iMac is known as Macintosh. It has been over thirty years since the launch of the Macintosh and it has evolved over the years into some of the most efficient desktop computers. From flaunting a unique aesthetic design to offering some of the fastest processing, iMacs have evolved from their distinctive, futuristic appearance into something sleeker. Apple has consistently upgraded its products, be it the form, aesthetics, utility or productivity. The first Mac came with a meagre 128KB RAM and today they come with Apple’s superior M1 chip with up to 16GB RAM. In recent years, the iMac grew and developed past its original gumdrop shape to become the 11.5mm-thin, 6-colour flat panel device of today.