• Technology has undoubtedly changed how we live our lives.
• Since 1950, there’s been a new technological invention or innovation every year.
• The first iPhone was introduced in 2007, revolutionizing cell-phone technology.

It’s crazy to think about how in less than 100 years, we’ve gone from inventing the microwave oven to experimenting with artificial intelligence and virtual realities.

So many of the items we now take for granted were once incredible inventions and innovations, but that’s the nature of technology: It constantly changes, improves, and problem solves to the point where younger generations can’t even imagine a world without it.

Just look at the cell phone. The first mobile phone was released in 1973, the first smartphone arrived in the ’90s, and then the iPhone dropped in 2007 and completely revolutionized the technology.

Now, 90% of Americans own smartphones compared to just 35% in 2011, according to a study released by the Pew Research Center in 2024; and, unsurprisingly, 18- to 29-year-olds are more dependent on them than any other age group.

So, while we all await the next big tech gadget to impress Gen Alpha, take a look at what world-changing product was invented or launched the year you were born (or at least until 2010) and marvel at just how much the world’s changed since then.