The article discusses how various technologies, once prohibitively expensive, have become accessible over time as production processes improved. Examples include personal computers, calculators, TVs, gaming consoles, and music players, all illustrating the vast evolution and reduction in costs associated with technology.
Technology evolves rapidly, often converting once-expensive innovations into affordable mainstream products. As ideas develop and production processes improve, costs decrease, making technology accessible to the masses. Many everyday devices now enjoyed originated as costly and niche products, previously limited to affluent consumers.
Personal computing exemplifies this shift. The first programmable all-electronic computer, the ENIAC, from the 1940s was massive and cost approximately $500,000, equal to about $6 million today. Presently, even low-end smartphones possess computational power far exceeding that of early computers.
Calculators have similarly transitioned from rarity to commonality. The Anita MK-8, the first electronic desktop calculator, was about the size of a laptop and cost over 355 British Pounds in the 1960s, or over 6,700 Pounds when adjusted for inflation. Now, standalone calculators can be purchased for as little as $6.
Television sets have also seen significant price reductions. The Dumont Model 180, an early home TV model, originally cost $395, equivalent to around $7,420 today. Innovations in digital display technology have allowed contemporary models to be sold for as little as $100.
The Atari 2600 game console once epitomized expensive home entertainment at its release price of $199 in 1977, about $870 today. Although modern gaming consoles still carry hefty prices, older gaming devices are now available for as little as $40, vastly improving accessibility.
Music playback has undergone a similar transformation. The Victrola phonograph, introduced in 1906, cost $15 or around $450 today. Nowadays, standalone MP3 players are available for about $30, with integrated smartphone technology making dedicated music devices increasingly rare.
Original Source: www.slashgear.com
