Tech Time Machine

Launched in October 2001, the original iPod transformed how people listened to music by allowing them to carry an entire music library with them. It set the standard for portable media players, and many Apple devices to come, with its sleek design and user-friendly interface.

Netflix was founded in 1997 and initially started out by sending DVD movies through the mail to customers as a disruption to major rental chains like Blockbuster Video. This was a pivotal change, allowing people to rent movies without ever leaving their homes.

As technology advanced and high-speed internet became more widespread, Netflix transitioned to digital streaming in 2007 and became a pioneer in the market.

In 1989, Nintendo introduced the world to the Game Boy. The Game Boy famously came bundled with the game Tetris and drew in 118 million sales worldwide for both the original and the Game Boy Color versions, which came later in 1998.

Sony introduced their iconic Walkman in 1979. This device changed the way people listened to music allowing individuals to take their music with them. Prior to the Walkman, music playback was mostly confined to home audio systems and car radios.

The success of the Walkman paved the way for future portable media players.

Palm, Inc. introduced the Palm Pilot PDA, which became extremely successful in the late 1990s as one of the first gadgets to offer simplified handwriting recognition via a stylus. Though now defunct, PDAs paved the way for the modern smart devices we use today.