15 technology breakthroughs that have changed the world and 50 years of innovation have made a profound difference in human life

When we look back at the past, we cannot help but marvel at how fantasies that once only existed in science fiction have now become a reality in our lives. The pace of innovation has never stopped, it has completely changed our understanding of the world and way of life at an almost incredible speed.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

In the 1960s, the prototype of an automated teller machine (ATM) made its debut, but it was not until the 1970s, with the introduction of magnetic stripe cards and computer networking technology, that ATM truly began to become popular. Nowadays, ATM has become an indispensable self-service tool for banking business worldwide.

DNA testing and sequencing

In the late 1970s, scientists began preliminary sequencing of DNA molecules. In 1990, the Human Genome Project was launched, and in 2003, the preliminary sequencing of all human genes was completed, opening up a Xintiandi for genetic research and treatment.

Electric vehicles

The concept of electric vehicles can be traced back to the 1920s, but it was not until the early 21st century, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, that electric vehicles experienced rapid development. Tesla, founded in 2003, launched its first mass-produced all electric vehicle in 2008, leading a new trend in the electric vehicle industry.

Fiber optic technology

Fiber optic technology has been studied since the late 19th century, but it was not until the 1970s, with the advancement of manufacturing processes, that fiber optic technology was widely used in the field of communication, greatly improving the speed and efficiency of data transmission.

Non invasive laser and robotic surgery

In the 1980s, the development of non-invasive laser surgery and robotic surgery technology, especially the first laparoscopic surgery in 1987, marked a move towards safer and more precise surgical procedures.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy

The development of photovoltaic solar technology began with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in the 19th century, but it was not until the energy crisis of the 1970s that solar energy began to be widely studied and applied. Nowadays, solar energy has become an important component of the global energy structure.

Barcodes and scanners

In the 1950s, prototypes of barcodes and scanners were invented. In the 1960s, barcodes began to be commercialized, and the UPC standard in the 1970s further promoted the popularity of barcodes worldwide.

Contraceptive pills

The birth of contraceptive pills can be traced back to 1957, when Envuse was submitted for regulatory approval as a medication for treating menstrual disorders and infertility. In 1960, the drug was approved by the FDA as an oral contraceptive, providing women with more reproductive options.

Coronary artery bypass surgery/stent & nbsp;

In the 1960s, coronary artery bypass surgery was first performed in the United States. In 1986, the first stent was implanted into the human body and was approved for use in the United States in 1994, providing a new treatment option for heart disease patients.

IEEE 802.16 Energy and Communications

IEEE 802.16 standard was released at the beginning of the 21st century, which defines a high-speed wireless MAN technology and is expected to provide more extensive Internet access for developing countries.

Biofuels 

The development of biofuels began with concerns about dependence on fossil fuels, and currently the main biofuels include ethanol and biodiesel. It is expected that by 2030, biomass resources in the United States will be able to replace over 30% of petroleum fuels.

Mobile

The car phone in the 1970s laid the foundation for mobile communication. In 1983, Motorola launched the first widely used handheld phone, the DynaTAC 8000x, ushering in the modern era of mobile phones

GPS 

In 1978, the first modern GPS satellite was launched, and in 2000, non military users were allowed to access undisturbed GPS signals, making GPS technology the standard tool for global positioning and navigation

Online shopping/e-commerce & nbsp;

The origin of e-commerce can be traced back to electronic data exchange in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1990s, with the popularity of the Internet and browsers, e-commerce ushered in an explosive growth

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI technology is based on the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance discovered in the 1930s. In the early 1980s, the first MRI device was introduced. Despite controversy over its inventor, MRI has become an indispensable tool for modern medical diagnosis