I talk about being a Gen Xer a lot and I consider myself fortunate to be one. I was born at a crux in history where technology was starting to dramatically evolve and shape the world around us, some for the better. It was a time of unchecked growth and has left the 1980s with the moniker of “The Decade of Excess.” I saw the beginnings of what we now see as the internet, the drastic evolution of video games, and computers becoming instrumental to our daily lives. It was an exciting time.
The 1980s wasn’t just about neon clothing, big hair, and Rubik’s Cubes. It was a period of explosive technological innovation that laid the groundwork for the gadgets we rely on today. From personal music players to mobile communication devices, the 1980s saw the birth of technologies that would forever change the way we live, work, and create. Let’s discuss The 1980s: A Decade that Shaped Our Tech-Filled Worlds.
Gadgets that were set to change the world
Living it the 1980s seemed like a world that was almost, but not quite, an unchecked world of growth and mystery. We were still living with threats of nuclear war and the possibility of communist take over, the tech industry was just starting to grow with dramatic speed, and the world just seemed to move at a faster pace. It was exciting and nerve wracking, all at the same time.
The 1980s gave us so many gadgets and commercials to sell that that a multitude have been lost to the annals of time, while others are still here, albeit, in vastly different styles than they were back then. Here are my Top 5 gadgets from the 1980s that changed our futures before we even realized it.
5.Braun Beard Trimmer (1985):
Prior to the Braun Beard Trimmer, facial hair maintenance was a cumbersome affair,often requiring trips to barbershops. This German-designed appliance revolutionized men’s grooming by offering a convenient, at-home solution. Its lightweight, ergonomic design and multiple attachment combs made it easy to achieve various beard styles. The Braun trimmer’s success paved the way for a more diverse men’s grooming market, with future trimmers incorporating features like rechargeable batteries and waterproof functionality.
To be fair, the Braun Beard trimmer only played part of this change, it was the vehicle that took men there. The driver of this vehicle was the star of the Television hit Miami Vice. The person was none other than Don Johnson. Johnson was the sexy, unkempt looking lead of this hit cop show. Every episode he seemed to have at least a two day growth of beard, collectively called Five O’clock shadow, on his rugged face. Combine that with a sport coat and pastel colors of the 80s and women fell for him, head over heels. Men also took notice and soon adopted his style to entice women for themselves. That look survives to this very day and is still seems on many of Hollywood’s male actors.
4.Microwave (1980s):
The microwave wasn’t entirely new in the 1980s, but it was during this decade that it became a staple appliance in American kitchens. Affordable and user-friendly countertop models replaced the bulkier versions of the past. The microwave’s ability to quickly and conveniently heat food transformed meal preparation and eating habits.Modern microwaves are even more versatile, featuring settings for defrosting, grilling, and even convection baking, all thanks to the innovation sparked in the 1980s.
Our first microwave was almost as big as television of that era. Many still covered in old turn style dials instead of the the newer digital screens and flat button consoles. Today’s microwave have infinitely more features than their older siblings and even can fit in the smallest of places. It is an invention that we still depend on today for a quick bite on the go or a dinner helper.
3.Roland TR-808 (1980):
This drum machine, released by Roland Corporation in 1980, may not be recognizable to the average person, but its impact on music is undeniable. The TR-808’s distinctive synthesized drum sounds became the foundation of countless hip-hop, pop, and electronic music tracks throughout the 80s and beyond. Its influence can be heard in popular music today, with producers still incorporating samples and digital recreations of the TR-808’s iconic beats.
One of most iconic songs from the 1980s to feature the Roland TR-808 was Planet Rock by Afrika Bambata. This iconic song used the 808 to create the driving drumbeats and synth laden tracks. But rap wasnt the only genre to pick up this amazing device. Pop music was just as quick to adopt this machine as it made producing music so much easier and with less people. Not wanting to miss out on the advancement, even early proto industrial bands started to use the samples that came pre-loaded on the Roland TR-808. The impact of the Roland drum machine can still be seen today, those amazing sci-fi samples have been migrated over to synthesizers and computers everywhere. They are still an essential part of making music and will be for the future of electronic music.
2.Boombox and the Walkman (1970s/1980s):
While the boombox’s roots go back to the 1970s, it truly boomed (pun intended) in popularity during the 1980s. These portable stereo systems with integrated cassette players allowed people to blast their music anywhere. Boomboxes fostered a culture of block parties, street performances, and the sharing of music in a way not previously possible. Today’s wireless speakers owe a debt to the portability and powerful sound brought forth by the 1980s boombox.
Sony’s Walkman, introduced in 1979, was a game-changer. This personal cassette player allowed people to take their music on the go, revolutionizing the way we consume audio. The Walkman made music a truly personal experience, unshackling listeners from bulky stereos and radio schedules. The legacy of the Walkman lives on in the form of today’s MP3 players and smartphones with music streaming capabilities.
Both of these devices allowed us to carry our favorite music with us, wherever we go. They are the grandparents of our modern access to music and the mindset of accessing what we want to hear, when we want to hear it.
1.Video Camera and the Mobile Phone (1980s):
The 1980s saw the rise of affordable, consumer-grade video cameras. These bulky camcorders,while a far cry from today’s sleek smartphones, allowed people to capture home movies and personal events with ease.This democratization of video recording forever changed how we document our lives and share experiences. Today’s high-definition video cameras and smartphone videography capabilities wouldn’t be possible without the groundwork laid by those early 1980s camcorders.
The mobile phone of the 1980s was a far cry from the pocket-sized supercomputers we carry today. These “brick phones” were large, expensive, and had limited battery life. However, they offered a level of mobile communication unimaginable before. The 1980s mobile phone was the first step towards a future of constant connectivity and accessibility, paving the way for the smartphones that are an essential part of our lives today.
Every cellphone today gives us the ability to capture life’s perfect moments in either picture or video, all of which started in the 1980s. Just be glad that we no longer have to walk around with those giant devices on our shoulders or shoved in our back pockets.
The lasting impact of the decade of excess
The 1980s may seem like a distant, shoulder-padded era, but the technological advancements of that decade continue to shape our world. From the convenience of microwaves to the power of portable music, the gadgets of the 80s laid the foundation for the technology we use and rely on today. The next time you fire up your favorite music streaming service or capture a video on your smartphone, remember – the seeds of those experiences were planted in the vibrant, innovative world of the 1980s. Many of these gadgets have been rendered useless thanks to the modern iterations combining many of them into other devices.
What about you, do you remember any of these early devices from your childhood? Or did you come along after the technology was made more similar to its current iterations? Were any of these gadgets new to you? Maybe you remember when they came out, let me know in the comments below. Thank you to each and everyone of you, after all you are the reason that GayintheCLE exists.
Gay in the CLE 