--- title: How Has Technology Changed Over 50 Years? You Might Be Shocked! description: Explore how technology has evolved over the past 50 years, from the introduction of ATMs to the rise of smartphones & AI innovation. Discover the journey. --- [![Ashton Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/c743380ebbe7d684f1311cdda436439824adad7e.png?width=200&height=81&name=c743380ebbe7d684f1311cdda436439824adad7e.png "Ashton Solutions")](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com) [![Ashton Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/Ashton%20Solutions%20logo_color.png?width=200&height=81&name=Ashton%20Solutions%20logo_color.png "Ashton Solutions")](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com) - [Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services) - [Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/managed-it) - [Co-Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/co-managed-it) - [Security](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/security) - [Compliance](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/compliance) - [AI Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/ai-solutions) - [Transaction Advisory](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/transaction-advisory) - [Networking](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/networking) - [IT Projects](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/it-projects) - [Who We Support](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support) - [Non-profit Organizations](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/non-profits) - [Financial Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/financial-services) - [Legal Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/legal-services) - [Professional Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/professional-services) - [Industrial & Manufacturing](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/industrial-manufacturing) - [Life Sciences](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/life-sciences) - [Architecture, Engineering & Construction](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/architecture-engineering-construction) - [Real Estate & Development](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/real-estate-property-development) - [Other](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/other-industries) - [About](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about) - [Meet the Team](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#meet-the-team) - [Our Approach](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about/our-approach) - [Our Story](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#our-story) - [Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services) - [Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/managed-it) - [Co-Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/co-managed-it) - [Security](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/security) - [Compliance](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/compliance) - [IT Projects](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/it-projects) - [Transaction Advisory](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/transaction-advisory) - [Networking](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/networking) - [AI Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/ai-solutions) - [Who we help](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support) - [Non-profit Organizations](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/non-profits) - [Financial Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/financial-services) - [Legal Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/legal-services) - [Professional Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/professional-services) - [Industrial & Manufacturing](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/industrial-manufacturing) - [Architecture, Engineering & Construction](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/architecture-engineering-construction) - [Real Estate & Development](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/real-estate-property-development) - [Life Sciences](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/life-sciences) - [Other](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/other-industries) - [About](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about) - [Meet the Team](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#meet-the-team) - [Our Approach](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about/our-approach) - [Our Story](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#our-story) [Client Help Desk ![download-1](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hubfs/download-1.png)](https://portal.ashtonhelps.com) [Talk to an Expert ![download-1](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hubfs/download-1.png)](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/contact) [Client Help Desk](https://portal.ashtonhelps.com) [Talk to an Expert](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/contact) [Ashton Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/the-ashton-solutions-blog/author/ashton-solutions) | 01.31.2020 | 1 Min Read # How Has Technology Changed Over 50 Years? You Might Be Shocked! # How Has Technology Changed Over 50 Years? You Might Be Shocked! 2020 is already a month old, and a lot can change in that time – especially when it comes to technology. To celebrate 2020, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at just how far tech has come in the past 50 years. Let’s start from 1970… ## 1970s In 1970, computing was rapidly changing. New advancements were coming all the time and were actively being implemented by businesses and individuals alike. Some of the technology we would have a nice chuckle at today, but they continued the trend of invention. Some of these may surprise you when you see just how long they’ve been around.  ATM introduced  First email sent  First laser printer  Apple II released  LaserDisc storage  First wireless network ## 1980s In the 80s, it became clear that the future of computing would surround the idea of the personal computer. Several manufacturers came to market, each bringing a level of innovation that kept the industry pushing ahead. •  3½-inch Floppy Disk •  First hard drive (5MB) •  MS-DOS introduced •  Apple Macintosh •  Lotus 1-2-3 •  Birth of CD-ROM ## 1990s When you get into the 1990s, you begin to see technology that looks a lot like the technology that we all use today. The growth of the Internet and the establishment of affordable wireless technologies defines 1990s technology, and sets the stage for the mobile world that we now enjoy.  World Wide Web (1990)  JPEG images  First Solid State Drive  Palm Pilot  Wi-Fi introduced  MS Windows ‘95 ## 2000s Leading up to the turn of the century, there were fears that software wouldn’t port to the new millennium. After Y2K, the rest of the decade produced some of the more remarkable technology ever produced, like smartphones, streaming video services, and social media. Here’s a list:  USB Flash Drive  Camera phone  iTunes, iPhone  Facebook, Google  BitTorrent file sharing  Bitcoin, blockchain ## 2010s The past decade can be defined by the immense amount of innovation that happened. The 2010s saw AI become useful and social media spread everywhere, while smartphones become the predominant device for accessing the Internet as well as taking pictures, monitoring your health, scheduling your appointments, controlling your lights, and more. Here’s a short list of what happened in the 2010s:  IBM’s Watson  Apple iPad  Spotify  Internet of Things  Virtual Assistants  GDPR data privacy law ## Future Tech For all of the amazing technology,  laws, and strategies that are now used, it is sure to be equally astonishing what will be possible in 2070, 50 years from now. By [Ashton Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/the-ashton-solutions-blog/author/ashton-solutions) January 31, 2020 [Business Technology](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/the-ashton-solutions-blog/tag/business-technology) --- ### You Might Also Be Interested In: ![MSP 501 2026 Winner Logo\_White](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MSP%20501%202026%20Winner%20Logo_White.png?width=1122&name=MSP%20501%202026%20Winner%20Logo_White.png "MSP 501 2026 Winner Logo_White") ![EOS](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/EOS.png?width=104&name=EOS.png "EOS") ![Wealthead100](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/Wealthead100.png?width=163&name=Wealthead100.png "Wealthead100") ![CRN26-MSP500-Horizontal-White](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CRN26-MSP500-Horizontal-White.png?width=1742&name=CRN26-MSP500-Horizontal-White.png "CRN26-MSP500-Horizontal-White") - [Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services) - - [Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/managed-it) - [Co-Managed IT](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/co-managed-it) - [Security](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/security) - [Compliance](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/compliance) - - [AI Solutions](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/ai-solutions) - [Transaction Advisory](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/transaction-advisory) - [Networking](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/networking) - [IT Projects](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/services/it-projects) - [Who We Support](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support) - - [Non-profit Organizations](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/non-profits) - [Financial Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/financial-services) - [Legal Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/legal-services) - [Professional Services](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/professional-services) - [Industrial & Manufacturing](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/industrial-manufacturing) - - [Life Sciences](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/life-sciences) - [Architecture, Engineering & Construction](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/architecture-engineering-construction) - [Real Estate & Development](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/real-estate-property-development) - [Other](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/who-we-support/other-industries) - [About](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about) - [Meet the Team](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#meet-the-team) - [Our Approach](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about/our-approach) - [Our Story](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#our-story) - [Partners](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/about#partnerships) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/the-ashton-solutions-blog) - [Abbott's Thoughts](https://ashtonthoughts.com/) 23625 Commerce Park, Suite 130 Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Contact Us: [216-397-4080](tel:216-397-4080) - © 2026 Ashton Solutions | All Rights Reserved - [Terms of Use](https://50314096.hs-sites.com/terms) - [Security Policy](https://50314096.hs-sites.com/security-policy) - [DCMA Policy](https://50314096.hs-sites.com/dcma-policy) - [Privacy Policy](https://50314096.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) [![Linkedin](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/linkedin-icon.png?width=28&name=linkedin-icon.png "Linkedin")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ashton-solutions) [![Instagram](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/instagram-icon.png?width=28&name=instagram-icon.png "Instagram")](https://www.instagram.com/ashtonsolutions) [![Twitter](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/twitter-icon.png?width=24&name=twitter-icon.png "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/AshtonSolutions) [![youtube](https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashton_March2026/images/youtube%201.png?width=32&name=youtube%201.png "youtube")](https://www.youtube.com/user/AshtonGroup/featured) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ashton Solutions", "url" : "https://www.ashtonsolutions.com/the-ashton-solutions-blog/author/ashton-solutions" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-14T01:35:51.176Z", "datePublished" : "2020-01-31T16:53:43.000Z", "headline" : "How Has Technology Changed Over 50 Years? 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