Did you know that the world’s first digital camera was as big as a toaster and took 23 seconds to save a single photo? In 1975, Kodak engineer Steven Sasson created this revolutionary device that could capture grainy black-and-white images at 0.01 megapixels. The massive prototype required special cassette tapes to store each image, making every photo session an exercise in patience. Modern smartphones can snap crystal-clear photos instantly, storing thousands of pictures effortlessly.
The story of this groundbreaking invention shows us how far digital photography has come – and it’s just one of 21 amazing gadgets from the 1970s that had kids pressing their noses against store windows
21. Atari Home Pong Console
Gaming entered American homes through this deceptively simple device. The $98 price point made electronic entertainment accessible to average families. Two dial controllers enabled competitive play with realistic sound effects. Holiday sales reached 150,000 units through Sears in 1975. While today’s gamers might chuckle at its two-dot simplicity, those families experienced the magic of turning their TV into an interactive playground for the first time.
20. Polaroid’s Polar Vision
At the height of the 3D craze, Polaroid unveiled this revolutionary home entertainment system. Specialized polarized glasses eliminated the eye strain common in earlier red-blue systems. Through modified television sets, viewers experienced unprecedented depth perception. Development costs reached $15 million before limited content availability halted production. Though consumers weren’t ready for home 3D in the ’70s, you could marvel at this same polarization technology the next time you watch a modern IMAX film.
19. IBM 5100 Portable Computer
Computing underwent a dramatic shift with IBM’s first portable machine. The 55-pound IBM 5100 packed processing power into a briefcase-sized enclosure. Professional configurations ranged from 16K to 64K of memory, with prices spanning $8,975 to $19,975. An integrated 5-inch CRT display and magnetic tape drive enabled true portable computing. If you think your laptop is heavy, imagine lugging this 55-pounder to your next meeting – but for scientists of the era, this beast made portable computing dreams come true.
18. IBM 3800 Laser Printer
The printing industry transformed when IBM unveiled this revolutionary machine. Electrophotographic technology enabled output speeds of 215 pages per minute. Advanced laser beams created images by precisely charging paper surfaces. The $295,000 price tag limited adoption to major corporations and print facilities. Before this printer, you’d wait days for professional documents – afterward, businesses could print an entire book in under an hour.
17. Philips N1500 Television Recorder
European television viewing changed forever with this groundbreaking VCR. Square cassettes captured 45 minutes of programming, while an advanced timer system permitted recording up to 10 days in advance. Simple controls democratized home video recording. Engineers developed a proprietary two-head helical scan system for improved image stability. While your streaming services now let you watch anything anytime, the N1500 first freed viewers from the tyranny of TV schedules.
16. Kodak’s Digital Camera Prototype
A quiet revolution began in Kodak’s research labs with this experimental device. The toaster-sized unit captured 0.01 megapixel black-and-white images. Digital storage required 23 seconds per photo on cassette tape. Steven Sasson’s team incorporated the first CCD sensor in a self-contained camera. The next time you snap a selfie, remember this refrigerator-sized ancestor that took nearly half a minute to capture a single grainy image – and changed photography forever.
15. The Bell System Picture Phone
AT&T’s innovative system transmitted video at 30 frames per second through standard phone lines. A compact black-and-white screen displayed real-time images from an integrated camera system. Monthly service charges reached an astronomical $160 in 1970, equivalent to a new color television. The Chicago Business District hosted the first operational Picture Phone booths. While the system ultimately failed commercially, these Picture Phone booths gave the world its first taste of what would become FaceTime and Zoom calls decades later.
14. Sony Betamax SL 7200
Building on their pioneering format, Sony enhanced home video recording capabilities. Beta-III speed allowed 5 hours of recording on a single cassette. Premium components delivered superior image quality compared to competing formats. Remote control functionality simplified operation for home users. Though Betamax ultimately lost the format war, its superior image quality made it the professional’s choice and set the standard for home video quality that persists today.
13. Pulsar P1 Digital Watch
Hamilton Watch Company forever changed timekeeping with this electronic breakthrough. The 18-karat gold case housed complex integrated circuits displaying red LED numerals. Initial pricing reached $2,100 in 1972, targeting luxury consumers and tech enthusiasts. Button-activated display preserved battery life during normal wear. Those 400 original P1 owners wore the future on their wrists – and they knew it.
12. Mattel Auto Race
Hand-held electronic gaming began with this innovative LED-based device. Red dots simulated vehicles moving along a vertical track at three speeds. A simple wheel controller enabled obstacle dodging for up to 4 hours on a single battery. The accessible $24.99 price point opened electronic gaming to younger players. While your smartphone packs millions of games, this simple LED racer proved that great gameplay doesn’t need fancy graphics – just one more lap around the track.
11. JVC Video Home System
The future of home video emerged with JVC’s strategic format launch. Standard recording speeds captured 4 hours of content per tape. An innovative tape protection system prevented head damage during loading. VHS decks reached 60% market share by 1979 through aggressive licensing. Next time you scroll through streaming options, remember the revolution VHS started – when “Be Kind, Rewind” wasn’t just a suggestion, it was the law of the living room.
10. Motorola Dinac
Mobile communication took its first steps with this groundbreaking prototype. The 2.5-pound handset measured 9 x 5 inches with a 35-minute talk time. Recharging required 10 hours for full capacity. Motorola invested $100 million in cellular technology development. Before fitting in your pocket, this brick-sized pioneer required its own carrying case – but those minutes of talk time unleashed a communications revolution that would reshape human connection.
9. Texas Instruments Speak & Spell
Educational technology advanced significantly with this electronic learning device. Internal memory stored more than 200 words with synthesized speech capability. Multiple skill levels adapted to learner progress. Semiconductor advances enabled 7 hours of continuous operation. While today’s kids ask AI for spelling help, this robotic teacher introduced a generation to the idea that computers could actually talk back.
8. Broiden Electric Toothbrush
Dental hygiene modernized through this pioneering electronic device. Oscillating brush movements delivered 3,800 rotations per minute for thorough cleaning. Waterproof construction ensured safe bathroom operation in humid conditions. A compact charging base maintained power for two weeks of regular use. Your modern sonic toothbrush owes its existence to this pioneering device that proved technology could transform even the most basic daily routines.
7. Sony Walkman
Personal audio transformed when this portable cassette player debuted. The compact design weighed just 14 ounces including batteries. Dual headphone jacks enabled shared listening experiences on the go. The $200 launch price reflected premium build quality and stereo technology. Long before AirPods, these blue-and-silver wonders turned city streets into personal concerts – and made everyone’s daily commute a little more bearable.
6. Polaroid SX70 Instant Camera
Land Camera Photography enthusiasts witnessed instant imaging evolution through this folding SLR. Professional-grade optics delivered focused images from 10.4 inches to infinity. The compact body collapsed to 1 inch thickness for portability. SX-70 film developed in daylight without timing or coatings. In an age before instant filters and sharing, watching an SX-70 photo develop before your eyes felt like pure magic – and professional photographers still chase that instant feedback high today.
5. Clive Sinclair Pocket Calculator
Mathematical computation became truly portable with this slim device. The 8-digit LED display performed core functions plus square roots and reciprocals. Advanced chip design extended battery life to several months of regular use. Retail pricing under £100 significantly undercut competitors. While your phone’s calculator might seem mundane, imagine the thrill when students first realized they could solve complex equations without reaching for a slide rule.
4. Pocket Fisherman
Sport fishing portability reached new heights through this compact innovation. The rod and reel combination collapsed to 14 inches for storage. Built-in compartments housed essential tackle and line. The affordable $19.95 price included all basic fishing components. Before “as seen on TV” became a punchline, this practical innovation proved that good things really could come in portable packages – and still does, with original units fetching premium prices among collectors.
3. Magnavox Odyssey
Home video gaming began with Ralph Baer’s revolutionary console design. The system generated basic white rectangles that moved across television screens. A set of 12 game cards enabled multiple gaming experiences through plastic overlays. The initial $99 package included controllers and screen accessories. Those simple white dots bouncing across screen overlays might look primitive now, but they planted the seeds for a multi-billion dollar gaming industry in living rooms across America. While some might consider the Odyssey’s design quite fancy, its not the only thing that faded into history. Here are 15 other fancy things from the 1970s that you might like to know about.
2. Mattel Electronic Football
Handheld sports simulation arrived with this LED-based portable game. Players navigated red dots through opponent defenses using four directional buttons. Internal speakers produced basic touchdown and scoring effects. Battery life extended to 6 hours of continuous play. In an era of ultra-realistic sports games, this pocket-sized pioneer proved that imagination could turn a few red dots into roaring stadium crowds and last-minute touchdown drives.
1. HP65 Calculator
Scientific computing achieved true portability through this programmable wonder. Magnetic cards stored up to 100 programming steps for rapid loading. Memory capacity handled complex engineering and scientific calculations. The $795 price tag reflected professional-grade capabilities. From Apollo missions to engineering breakthroughs, this pocket calculator didn’t just crunch numbers – it helped humanity reach for the stars and brought advanced computing down to Earth.
