The 1970s saw the emergence of some of the most iconic gadgets. There were many pieces of technology then that are non-existent today.
See also: How to properly clean gadgets and devices at home?
Although the 1970s weren't as gadget-savvy as the 1980s, the computer revolution had already begun. Even if younger generations have never seen or heard of these vintage devices, they are still worth getting to know and discuss. Moreover, these products paved the way for subsequent related inventions.
Pong Home Console
The two-dial Pong console was released in 1975 and was the only game that could be played on the console. Up until then, the game had been popular in arcades, but this was the first opportunity for people to play it at home. Although the game only had a basic table-tennis mode, it sold quite well. In fact, Nintendo , the future gaming giant , would release its own similar product (Color TV Game 15) as a bootleg.
Mattel Electronic Football
Mattel's Electronic Football was created in 1977, allowing players to experience the game through a handheld device. While other football games might offer many different modes, this one only had two. The goal of the game is to move your LED football player around the screen without being tagged by members of the other team. The two modes change the formation of the team you're facing. While it would be derided today, at the time, this equipment was incredible.
See also: How to buy gadgets that will last a long time
Commodore PET
The first personal computers that come to mind are usually the Apple II. The Apple II wasn’t the only one of its kind in 1977 – in fact, there were three computers that year that are referred to as the “1977 Triad.” The Commodore PET was certainly ahead of its time and shouldn’t be overlooked. The first computers had a cartridge tray, but later models had ROM and a microprocessor, which was much more common at the time. The PET was a late arrival, so by then, the Apple II had already been released. For many consumers, this Commodore product was nonetheless very reliable.
Magnavox Odyssey
The first commercial video game console was released in 1972, after five years of intensive development, and was one of the top gadgets of the 1970s. The Magnavox Odyssey was a major innovation, capable of displaying up to three dots on the screen and a vertical line. With these awesome graphics, the system could play over twenty unique games. The sound system was nonexistent, and the controller looked more like a television. Players would put a vaguely themed overlay on the controller to match the game they were playing. A version of ping pong was by far the most popular game. Pong was inspired by this game and got its own console. There was a lawsuit between Magnavox and Atari.
See also: PCIe 6.0 will make your gadgets incredibly fast, just not soon
Sound-About
The Sony Walkman is a classic example of an early media player that changed the way we listen to music. Although it debuted in the late 1970s, many people forget its humble beginnings. After a stellar launch, Sony would bring the device to other countries. These headphones would go by a bunch of alternative names, including the Stowaway, Freestyle , and Sound-About. The Walkman was actually more famous under a different name, which is perhaps why many people don't consider it a symbol of the 1970s. Although it's often forgotten, the technology remains an iconic piece of the decade.
