Gadgets Then And Now

Memory

Then: The first floppy disks were invented by IBM to store data and programs. Floppy disks came in 8 inch, 5 1/4 inch and 3 1/2 inch forms and were used for data storage from the mid-1970’s to the late 1990’s. The floppies held anywhere from 1.44 MB to 6MB worth of data.

Now: A micro SD drive that hold gigs of data can fit conveniently on a keychain.

Computers

Then: One of the earliest computers was ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the first true all-purpose electronic computer. Unveiled in 1946, it was a monstrous 30-ton machine with 6000 switches, 18,000 tubes and cabinets, and occupied an entire room.

Now: Take your pick — super slim laptops, ultra light Netbooks, iPhones or iPads.

Click “Next” to see more gadgets and how they have changed through time.