Short-Lived Developments

We see short-lived developments whenever technology accelerates.

We started listening to music produced on vinyl records in 1898 and this medium continued until the 1970s, when 8 track tapes were popular.  By 1980, these were replaced by cassette tapes.  By 1990, these were replaced by CDs.

We started recording TV programs and home movies using VHS tapes and buying and renting movies on VHS tape in the 1980s. By 1990, these were replaced by CDs and now we use our smart-phones and YouTube to make home movies

We see massive changes whenever critical industries break up, upgrade or change direction.

Up to the 1970s, our phone system was provided by AT&T with the Bell Telephone companies in different states and regions. In 1984, AT&T broke up and a myriad of phone companies opened to operate. In addition, phones and phone line parts showed up at retail stores. Telephony embarked on a complete re-tooling of its equipment. Multiple short-term companies sprang up to offer phone services to businesses and consumers. Wireless phones became common.  Cell phones began to replace land-line phones. The I-Phone was introduced in 2007. Throughout this transformation of telephony, companies sprang up and dissolved due to consolidation.

In the 1980s, AT&T demonstrated using wireless computer tablets as phones and PCs, but the model became a pocket-size phone that took pictures, had GPS and had internet connectivity. Japan and China took over the development of TV sets from 70 lb. 27” CRT units to 10 lb.50” flat screen TVs.

Also in the 1980s, PCs developed to become user-friendly and interconnected. This required cheaper, smaller, faster, more powerful computer chips and modems. Internet access became more available in 1995, but required new PCs with more powerful chips and larger memory storage capabilities.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader