Advancements+in+Technology+and+Science


 * Content by: Jessica and Shilpa**

media type="youtube" key="HhsWzJo2sN4?fs=1" height="385" width="640" The first Apple commercial for the Apple Macintosh was shown during the Super Bowl in 1984. This commercial was a big deal in the 1980's because it was based on a book called 1984 by a man named George Orwell. The book was set to show a world beyond our imagination. A world that we do not know of today. The book showed how that everyday life was monitored by the Government. The book is also linked to Big Brother. For more information, and a full summary of the book visit: http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/1984/ The commercial for the Apple Macintosh also represented a great change in technology.





During this time period, Sony also introduced the first Walkman personal stereo, and later a Walkman personal stereo with a tuner.



media type="youtube" key="ptbJZ9HBw2k?fs=1" height="385" width="480" One of the first cell phone advertisements by Centel. Centel was an american telecommunications company, and is no longer here today. It was bought by Sprint in 1993.



Before Microsoft was released in 1983, people used to use Billboards. Billboards were another software. Before the first Microsoft version was released, people used to type their commands, and with this new Microsoft, (Microsoft 1.0), people are able to navigate screen/windows by using a mouse. By using a mouse, people were able to point and click on the things they needed to use. Microsoft also releases its second version of Microsoft Windows, ( Windows 2.0), in 1987. This version can open more windows and has more speed. For more information visit: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/history This is a commercial for the first Microsoft Windows: media type="youtube" key="GL4hyATkQ74?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

Post-Its were invented by Spencer Silver. They were invented by accident when Silver was working in a lab, trying to find a strong adhesive, but invented Post-Its Instead. Original post-its were launched in US on April 6, 1980.

Here is a short clip from the movie Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, where Romy tells her classmates that she invented Post-Its. media type="youtube" key="gDVmAz8P6cc?fs=1" height="385" width="640"

This was the first desktop laser jet printer, which was around $3,500. To invent this printer, HP worked with Canon. The two companies worked together for about 14 years, before the invented the Laser Jet printer in 1984. Before this printer, printers were loud and noisy, and could only print using a limited amount of fonts. HP then invented this printer, which could print using different fonts, and was quiet and efficient.

This personal computer, was almost like the laptops that we use today. It was portable and was used by people working in the technology field. It had an alphanumeric keyboard, meaning it had a keyboard with letters and numbers. The personal computer also had a read and write memory. After this invention by HP, HP had a revenue of $3 billion.

Bill Hewlett won the National Medal of Science which is the nation's highest scientific honor. HP's revenue was $4.7 billion.



In 1987 Sony introduces, My First Sony, which is a product line for children. It included toys like clocks, small laptops etc...

The Sony Walkman was invented in the 1970's but was mostly brought into the public and used by people in the 1980

The first disposable camera was developed in 1986 by by Fujifilm.Soon, everyone had a disposable camera. Many companies like Konica, Canon and Nikon soon produced their own models. Fuji, staying competitive advanced more by including a Flash, and making it waterproof.

Scientific Advancements:



In 1981, there was a sudden increase in Kaposi's Sarcoma, which was a form of benign cancer. Benign Cancer is when the cancer does not spread to other parts of the body. There was also a sudden increase in a lung infection Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). The CDC (Centers For Disease Control) noticed this, and published many reports about it. This is said to be the beginning of AIDS awareness in the United States. Many countries, soon took action. HIV was also discovered in 1983 by French scientist Dr. Luc Montagnier.

Here is an advertisement from Australia in 1986 about AIDS: media type="youtube" key="2zMdWhoFFck?fs=1" height="344" width="425" This advertisement featured a grim reaper killing everyone, including families and children. This advertisement raised huge controversy as people debated whether or not the grim reaper appropriately represented the image of a HIV positive person. People thought the grim reaper represented gay men instead. Otherwise, this advertisement, really informed people regarding HIV/AIDS, preventing the spread of the disease in Australia more than in any other country.

On May 18, 1980 at 8:32 AM, Mt. St Helens erupted. It is said to be one of the worst volcanic eruptions in US History.

Here is a short video of the eruption. media type="youtube" key="bgRnVhbfIKQ?fs=1" height="344" width="425"

Here is a video that aired on CBS a few days after the eruption. It shows the after effects of the volcano, and what exactly happened. media type="youtube" key="z1gpnu-fdUU?fs=1" height="344" width="425"

On December 2, 1982, Dr. William DeVries implanted an artificial heart into retired dentist Dr. Barney Bailey Clark who survived for 12 days with the device, dying on 23 March 1983. Bill Schroeder became the second recipient, and lived for a record 620 days.

Other Websites: http://news.sel.sony.com/en/corporate_information/company_of_firsts