History Repeats

Meta, the company behind the Meta M1 wrote a piece last year (2014) on history repeating itself in the world of technology. I found this section particularly fascinating:

So, here we are, over 100 years since the wristwatch was first adopted and we are again at a very similar nexus point with the three original wristwatch factors:

Technology and miniaturization has advanced to the point where we can create a Bluetooth wireless technology-enabled connected watch in a small, wearable form factor.

The number of services delivered to us through smart phones and the push notifications generated by these services are rapidly increasing. Important and time sensitive notifications need to be brought to our attention immediately and above the noise threshold. The location where we keep our phone will become increasingly inconvenient.

Fashion will play as big a role in now as it did a century ago. There is a big difference in perception between something you carry and something you wear. If you do not feel good wearing and being seen wearing a device, you simply won’t wear it. Form trumps function in the wearable space, and it always has. Balancing form and function for wearable connected devices will be one of the most difficult challenges we face.

When you read pieces like this, it gives you real perspective on how quickly things can change. What seems odd and “dumb” to some today, can easily be considered the norm in just a few years. I don’t know about you, but when the iPad came out in 2010, a lot of people thought the idea of carrying around a 10-inch touchscreen was stupid, especially in public. Now, you can’t go anywhere without seeing an adult doing work on one or a child consuming YouTube or playing games on one. Oh, and taking pictures with one? Totally normal now.

Every decade or two, we see this happen over and over again. People say something that sounds a bit wild for the time, but years later look at it and think it’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard. In fact, you wouldn’t believe some of the things people said within the last 100 years that would seriously make you chuckle. Here are a few:

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” — Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” — Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” — H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

I could go on and on, but you get the point.

I wish we could collectively be better, but unfortunately there will always be small minds out there looking to bring attention to themselves. History repeats.