Things in the 20th C started out pretty slowly. For a timeline of inventions, click here. In1915, cooks got the benefit of Pyrex. Lots of things were invented but not too many for the average person to buy and use. In 1916, radio tuners were invented as was stainless steel, though that wasn't immediately introduced to replace aluminum in the home.
In 1919 the pop-up toaster was invented. By the 30s, there was more frequency of inventions for the home and personal use, generally one a year. By the 40s things speeded up and more reasonably priced products were being seen on retail shelves. In the 50s, we saw super glue and radial tires, Shortwave radios and Polaroid cameras.had hit the markets.
By the 60's, many homes had switched between radios and television. In '62 the audio cassette was invented. However, in 2001, the real explosion began when iPods came on the market. We went from appliances that could last for years and even be repaired, to the disposables era. Today, a new model of everything is out by the time you can carry your purchase of a product home. They are marketed as productivity drivers yet cell phone use by drivers has caused accidents, deaths and new laws to prohibit. People no longer have to be glues to a desk many miles from home to do their work if it can be done on a computer. Hand-helds can be used as computers, Internet connections, phones, GPS, and so many other functions it is frightening.
If retirees feel obsolete in society, the technology explosion is sending them to obsolescence even faster!
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