To be considered a Millennial, one has to be born between 1981 and 1996. Anyone born after 1997 is part of Generation Z or New Generation. Millennials witnessed technological growth up to what we know it as today. They saw the pre and post-tech boom. Of these, nothing saw more advancement than the daily use of gadgets. For instance, mobile phones were considered a luxury a few decades back, but they became a modern convenience over time. Here are 10 gadgets every millennial Brit remembers:
VCR
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A tech gadget most Millennials will either have once owned or remember is Video Cassette Recorder or VCR. It was first invented in 1956 but the first relatively convenient was developed in 1969 by Sony Corporation. It revolutionized TV, home entertainment and movies forever. It had minimal options that included fast-forward and reverse controls. It sometimes had a timer that enabled it to record television programs onto a Video Home System (VHS).
Floppy Disc
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First developed in 1971, Floppy Disk made loading software and computer updates easy. It was convenient as people were not tied to one computer anymore. It acted as a modern-day USB stick and became the most widely used storage device. Despite being clunky by current standards, it will always be relevant and hold a place in our hearts.
Fax Machine
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The first noticeable fax machine was invented in 1964 by the Xerox company and is commonly known as the telephone fax. It is still relevant and used officially by the public and private sectors. This gadget has evolved so much over time that you can now fax through a computer.
Typewriters
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Even though its invention dates back to the 18th century, the first commercially practical typewriter was developed in 1873 by Christopher Latham Sholes of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were not heavy-duty machines and were used for occasional writings. They are still widely used by banks, the military and some factories.
Polaroid Cameras
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Before 1948, photos were required to be taken into a dark room for their development. But the invention of Polaroid Cameras in 1948 revolutionized the world of photography. Photos taken with Polaroid cameras could be developed instantaneously. Over time, cameras have undergone tremendous changes, but the Polaroid Cameras are still relevant.
Walkman
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Two decades Apple iPod mp3 player was released, and the first model of the Sony Walkman TPS-L2 was released. It was a portable cassette player with chunky buttons, a leather case and headphones. It even had a second earphone jack so two people could listen in at once. The classic cassette tape Walkman was retired by Sony in 2010, but every millennial Brit still has fond memories of it.
Gameboy
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The list of unforgettable gadgets is incomplete without mentioning the Gameboy. It was first released in 1989. It was a hand-held portable gaming console manufactured by Nintendo. It is one of the most identifiable devices from the 90s, and it would not be wrong to call it a cultural icon.
Conclusion:
Millennials going through this article will fondly remember the days when VCR was the talk of the town. Many of them might still have piles of cassettes lying around somewhere. In the same way, piles of floppy discs were needed to install games and transfer files. Other gadgets that every Millennial Brit remembers fondly include Fax Machine, Typewriters, Polaroid Cameras, Walkman and Gameboy.
Muhammad Asfandyar is a lawyer having extensive experience in creative content writing, proofreading, legal and academic research writing. He can be reached at asfandyar.edw@gmail.com