Buzz
The initial versions of everyday items we all encounter indeed differ significantly from today.
Advancements in science and technology continuously refine the shape and functionality of everyday objects. Hence, it's not surprising that we may struggle to imagine how these objects appeared when they were first introduced.
1. Television
Television sets, the wireless transmission devices, were first mass-produced in Germany in 1934. At that time, they were essentially large wooden boxes with a tiny screen displaying fuzzy images. However, a television set back then cost $445, equivalent to nearly $7,000 today (about 159 million VND). If we look at the ultra-thin plasma TV screens with super-wide displays showcased in electronics stores today, it's clear that these advancements are almost unbelievable.
2. Sunglasses
The original purpose of the first sunglasses was to shield eyes from snow glare rather than sunlight. Residents of the Far North (Russia) crafted them from wood, bone, and other non-translucent materials with two narrow slits for eyes, allowing them to protect their vision from the intense light reflected by snow. Nowadays, sunglasses serve not only to protect eyes from sunlight but also as a fashion accessory with various styles vastly different from their original purpose.
3. Digital Camera
Capturing a memorable moment with high resolution is now as easy as pressing a button on a smartphone or using a compact camera. However, in 1975, the first digital cameras weighed a hefty 3.6kg and were attached to a tape recorder. Surprisingly, they required 16 batteries to operate.
4. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper was first used for personal hygiene purposes in 589 AD in China. However, it wasn't until 1857 that toilet paper was commercially produced, in the form of square sheets packaged in bundles. Rolled toilet paper, similar to what we have today, first appeared in the 1880s in the United Kingdom.
5. Washing Machine
The first clothes washing machines were patented in 1851. They were vastly different from modern washing machines and had to be operated manually by a hand crank. Some early versions even utilized the pulling force of 10 oxen to wash 10-15 garments at a time. Now, it's convenient that we only need electricity to run clothes washing machines instead of relying on physical labor.
6. Socks
Socks first appeared in ancient Egypt during the 3rd century BC, made from pieces of animal skin wrapped around the feet. The indentation between the big toe and the second toe was explained by the ancient Egyptians' habit of wearing socks with sandals.
7. Roller Skates
References to roller skates date back to 1743, but the earliest models were almost unusable due to their bulkiness, hardly resembling today's common designs. Subsequent designs were not much better. It wasn't until the 1970s that roller skates similar to those we use today were invented - originally to help ice hockey players glide easily on ice.
8. Computer
The earliest computers, also known as accounting machines, were only capable of performing four arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Moreover, the accuracy of these computers depended not on the machines themselves but on the computational abilities of their users. In contrast, modern computers are much simpler, have more functions, and most importantly, are much more compact.
9. Hard Drive
Sixty years ago, the first hard drive was introduced to the public. It weighed a hefty 6.35 kg and had a mere capacity of 5MB. Nowadays, even simple mobile phones weigh only a few hundred grams and can store information equivalent to ten times that of the first-generation hard drives.
