Posted on 07/03/2009 11:23:15 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins
We're kicking off our series exploring memorable gadgets from memorable people with one of the most influential tech giants: Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. JC
OK...meaningful...here goes...
For that definition, it was probably an electronics learning kit I got for Christmas at about age 8 or 9. As I recall, it didn't teach electronics formulas or resistor codes, but was full of projects to hook up input devices like switches and output devices like buzzers and lights. It was like learning how to connect all the devices to your hi-fi, or connecting all your peripherals to a computer. It also gave me a good start toward understanding logic rules, like both switches have to be on for the light to shine, or if switch A is on, then switch B selects which light is on.
I call this one the most meaningful, because, pretty clearly to me, it preceded my other important gadgets and inspired me to like gadgets and to understand how to build some. It's like how the transistor led to the chip, which led to microprocessors, which led to personal computers. Everything goes back to the first invention, in that sense. This electronics kit gave me the understanding that made it easy to progress to large logic devices with multi-pole switches, and some relays, which then progressed to a large tic-tac-toe computer with transistors which progressed to a large adding/subtracting machine with transistors, etc.
The word 'meaningful' has the root 'meaning' which implies some emotion. In that sense, my first transistor radio, at about age 10, would fit the bill. It gave me portable music that I could listen to all night long as I slept, every night. 20 years later came the walkman, and 20 more years later came the iPod, but the real change in life, the one having the most 'meaning', was with the transistor radio.
I always wanted my own computer. With the Apple I, I now had a machine that I could program. I would never run out of things to do in my entire life. So it's a close runner up to the other two.
The gadget that has been the most attractive of attention ever is not my Segway. It's my nixie tube watch from CathodeCorner. It looks very large to other people and looks very strange. It's handmade in America too. The nixie tubes run on 140 volts on your wrist. Airport security guards who have seen every kind of watch ever made have a thrilling time with this watch.
I used to fly to Japan regularly to scour new gadgets, and always bought tons of things which were always surprising at the time, but looking back, few have special meaning. The first consumer digital camera, I think the Mavica technology, was meaningful. The first one for computers, not TV's, was the QuickTake from Apple. But in many ways, no digital camera to this day has been as good as the first Ricoh one.
The HP-35 calculator was also very meaningful in my life, as it led me to an incredible job designing for the follow-on models.
Much thanks to Woz for helping to kick off our series. Coming up soon: Phil Torrone, gadget maker and modder extraordinare.
Image credit: Sony Mav, HP Calculator
I think my wife would agree with you much more than I do. I’ve never been a huge music lover. I like a lot of stuff from the 60s through the 80s, but the music industry would curl up and die if they had to depend on folks like me to keep them going.
If you’re heavily into music, I’m sure the MP3s are a big deal to you. To me, they just aren’t. While I agree with your comment regarding Walkman vs the MP3, the Walkman suited my purposes very adequately.
I agree that Blue Tooth is nice. Look, I used wired ear buds for a long time. Is Blue Tooth better? Sure. Is it a something that will change your life? No.
I’m not trying to trash things you like here. I think it’s great you have the MP3s. I’m glad you enjoy them. As for the Blackberry, I think that’s nice too. Don’t get me wrong. While I like what I have too, I have been longing for something better for a long time, and it just hasn’t been forthcoming.
I’m hoping Apple’s black works 10” tablet that has been rumored for years, is about to be released. Of course it depends on which way they go with that too, so we’ll have to see about that too.
At the time we had a 26” Sony top of the line television. It was a great set. The Genesis filled the screen and the graphics were crystal clear. How that could be with 320x480 I’m not sure, but it was great. The games weren’t as complex as the ones today obviously, but we’re talking some pretty decent games.
I know the PSP does some wireless things, the internet and all. That’s pretty cool. I guess at 58 I’m a bit beyond the thrill of video games. I think that does impact some of the other things we’ve talked about, as far as appreciation goes. You don’t think it will make much difference, but at a certain point you just see some things differently.
Here’s what I initially said.
“Im such a gadget freak, and it seems to me that there as been a dearth of creative gadgets over the last decade or so.
Cell phones have met a certain design limit, and need to be rethought IMO. Its time for a breath of fresh air.
The iPhone is a good product, but there are even problems with that.”
You’ve pointed out that there have been some things coming down the pike that you thought were pretty cool. I think they are too. The problem for me is that much of them had an analog version that met my needs before the new ones came along. That doesn’t mean they aren’t super, but I’m just not that impressed. I don’t feel compelled to go out and make a purchase of these things.
I appreciate the responses. For you the things that have come out over the last decade have been top quality, and you have been impressed. That’s good. I’m sure there are plenty of people who agree with you.
Take care.
I don’t see how things having an “analog version” in the past makes the new things not good gadgets. Using that kind of reasoning then cars aren’t that big a deal because we had horses before that met people’s needs. Nothing about the past devalues the now, modern cellphones with their tiny size and Blue Tooth and internet and PC synch and applications and cameras and MP3 playing would be no more impressive had the cellphone never existed, they’re a kick ass gadget one way or the other. MP3 players with the ability to hold 1200 albums or 30 movies are no less interesting because personal audio existed before.
It’s not “for me” that top quality things have come out in the last decade. It’s simple reality. The personal electronics world has been completely re-invented in the last decade. And yes many of those things are “mere” improvements on existing technology, that’s just life, there haven’t been that many truly brand spanking new inventions in the world, even those “analog versions” you remain satisfied with were primarily improvements on existing technology or ideas. Walkman’s are an improvement on transistor radios, cell phones have been getting worked on in fits and starts for 100 years, your Sega Genesis is on the path from the Magnavox Odyssey. That’s the path humans take, other than those times when we figure out something truly revolutionary like electricity or the Hero engine we primarily are tweakers and improvers. And there’ve been a lot of pretty dramatic tweaks and improvements in the last decade.
That's all I did as a kid. Well, blew them apart to be exact. Surprised I never ended up in the demolition business.
Wonderful idea. This is a gift he will come to appreciate.
Thanks for the link!
Thank you, I will check it out.
Better version
What’s with this giant handbasket, and why is it getting so HOT??????
Thanks for the additional comments.
I still have my Heathkit IM-13 VTVM (Vacuum Tube Volt Meter). They don't have a picture of mine in the Heathkit Virtual Museum but Google found one:
I was devastated when they folded their kit division.
Anybody remember their retail stores? They had one in Sacramento. I really wanted to build their 26" color TV.
You should've seen the video...
Sony struggling as Walkman hits 30th anniversary on July 1, 2009.
Good old Sony, always finding a way to screw up a clear market advantage. That’s why I thought HD-DVD would win, just because of Sony’s track record of screw ups, instead it’s looking like BluRay’s victory is completely pyrrhic. Sure does show how MP3 players have changed the game though, 210 million iPods in 8 years vs 385 million Walkmen in 30, wow.
So it did go back to the 70s. Interesting... Thanks.
Even microwaves and VCRs are still pretty kick ass if you think about it.
I agree. I am still amazed at appliances we take for granted like the humble washer and dryer. I'm not even talking about the state of the art washers like the Samsung WF448AAP with Steam Care and Silver Care that uses Silver Ions to sanitize laundry without bleach. Those have wow factor like no other. I am saying I am amazed at say a washer and dryer from the 70's even.
Also amazed at microwaves. Still amazed at the counter-top Kenmore Microwave oven (circa 1977) still working and while looking a bit dated, still in great shape for 32 years old.
David Brin has a phrase he likes to throw out when he’s at conventions or giving speeches to the youth: we live in science-fictional times. And every time I hit the appliance or electronics section of any store I’m reminded of just how right he is, we got some pretty nifty “every day objects” in our lives. It’s a good day to remember that too, since a lot of that stuff owes its existence good old fashioned American ingenuity and hard work.
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