“We have Technology” – Guy From the 1960s

By Luke Langlois

The tumultuous decade of the 1960s came with turning points in our history, including the Civil Rights movement, Second-wave feminism, the Anti-war movement, and more. No outdated cultural norm was safe in this era. Do you know what else wasn’t safe? Antiquated technology. Here are some of the technological and scientific developments of the 1960s that have stood the test of time.

1. 1960: Theodore Maiman invented the first rendition of the LASER. The use of the “LASER” has varied over the years. It is currently used to read blue-ray disks, among other things. It has also manifested itself as its own, unique word for science fiction’s brightly colored (usually lethal) beams. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Neat!
2. 1960: The first minicomputer was put on the market. The Programmable Data Processor, also known as the PDP, contained hardware for one of the first-ever digital games: “Spacewar!” It was known as a minicomputer because the usual “computers” of this time were bulky and aesthetically unappealing. The new appeal that came with the minicomputers made it an excellent product for the market.
3. 1961: Mission Vostok 1 commenced and sent the first man into space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. I know us Americans of the 60s are not supposed to like the Russians, but we have to appreciate the first man in space. SPACE!!!!
4. 1961: The IBM Typewriter said, “Hello!” to the planet. In comparison to the older typewriters on the market, IBM’s (International Business Machine’s) new typewriter made typing a LOT quicker. This machine was the benevolent forefather of the device I am using to create this post right now!
5. 1962: Whether you prefer Coke, Pepsi, or even RC Cola, you know the *pshKSSS CLICK* sound of a soda can’s pop tab. Beverage companies around the world thank Ermal Fraze for inventing the satisfying sound that has become instrumental to marketing efforts. 
6. 1962: Public radio is absolutely abysmal sometimes, that’s why we have satellite radio (even though that may be falling out style, too. We can thank the first Telstar satellite for letting us communicate through space relays. This Telstar satellite, however, was limited to relaying television pictures, telegraph images, and telephone calls.
7. 1963: You may be sick right now, but I bet it isn’t measles! On this day in 1963, the measles vaccine was approved by the World Health Organization (the WHO) and released to the public. 
8. 1964: Imagine you’re someone from the 60s who enjoys horses, muscle cars, and the Ford Motor Company, but cannot find a way to mix these lovely interests. You’re in luck! In 1964, the public was graced with the first model of the Ford Mustang. 
9. 1964/1965: Although the precise date is unknown, these two years marked the emergence of AstroTurf! If you have ever dealt with trying to maintain grass in the desert, I would be willing to bet that you have considered artificial turf. Thank the 60s!
10. 1965: How am I supposed to stop a bullet with just my measly human body? In 1965, Stephanie Kwolek synthesized a lightweight steel-like fiber that has been used in bulletproof vests and body armor all over the world: kevlar. 
11. 1967: Your heart works incredibly hard every single day, and it NEVER stops. Incredible! On this date, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard figured out what to do when the heart no longer works as it should. Naturally, he performed the world’s first heart transplant. 
12. 1967: Calculus is tough, and it would be even tougher without my trusty Texas Instrument. Although calculators existed before 1967, Texas Instruments released the first calculator that was truly compact and handheld. The “Cal Tech” printed your calculations (limited to the four basic operations) onto a small piece of paper tape. 
13. 1968: Emergencies are almost always time-sensitive events, and quick responses are crucial to the resolution of said emergencies. In 1967, the FCC met with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) to work on a unified emergency line.  In 1968, AT&T made way for the iconic 911 emergency code. 
14. 1969: Our parents are right; what would we do without the internet? In 1969, the first steps were taken towards the internet we have today: ARPANET. ARPANET became a tangible reality when UCLA, UCSB, University of Utah, and Stanford University gave birth to a grand network. Look out for James’s post that elaborates on the origins of the world’s greatest communication tool. 

You have just witnessed an all-encompassing list of developments from the 1960s. Congratulations! I think some guy landed on the moon, too. Hopefully, you’ll have some new facts to bring up at the dinner table, especially when Uncle Bob opens up his soda. When I come back to thebirdonfire.org in sixty years, I’ll do an anniversary post. What developments of this decade will integrate themselves as a permanent part of our livelihoods? 

1960s Editor: Quintus Ni