Inventions of 1960s

The sixties decade is known for some interesting and useful inventions. Development of computers was one of the major inventions of the decade. The inception of few concepts of these inventions may have taken place in the 1950s; however, core developmental work of most of the devices took place in the 60s. The inventions of this period laid foundation for speedy growth of different technologies of the future. Let us understand about the inventors and inventions of the 1960s through information presented below. An attempt is made to include some of the notable inventions of the 1960s in this article. Let us have a look at them one-by-one.

1960s' Biggest Inventions

There are many inventions of 1960s which brought about great change in this world. Most of these were related to the field of computers. A list of few notable inventions of the 1960s is provided in the paragraphs below.

Computer Mouse: The computer mouse is a pointing device. Functioning of the mouse is based on the concept of detecting two-dimensional motion that takes places relative to its own supporting surface. Invention of trackball was a joint effort by Fred Longstaff, Tom Cranston and Kenyon Taylor in the year 1952. Bill English invented the ball mouse in 1972. Invention of the optical mouse took place at HP Labs due to the joint efforts of Travis N. Blalock, Thomas Hornal, Richard A. Baumgartner and Mark T. Smith.

Video Game Consoles: Magnavox Odyssey is the video game console designed by Ralph Baer. He started working on the prototype, 'Brown Box' in 1966 and completed the work in 1968. The Magnavox Odyssey was however, demonstrated on 24th May, 1972.

Space Observatories: These are instruments used for observing objects of the outer space. Space observatories are situated in the outer space. The planets, galaxies and other space bodies are studied through observations made by these instruments. It is one of the greatest inventions of all time.

Lasers: Theodore H. Maiman is credited with the invention of laser. Hughes Research Laboratory, Malibu, California is the place where Maiman made the first working laser; this technology was invented in the year 1960. The 694 nm (wavelength) red light was produced by Maiman with the help of flashlamp-pumped and solid-state synthetic ruby crystal.

Optical Discs: Binary data is encoded in the form of pits by optical discs. This data is stored on the surface of these discs with the help of materials like aluminum. Invention of the optical disc took place in the year 1958. A patent for analog optical disc was registered by David Paul Gregg in the years 1961 and 1969. Information about technology in 1970s should also prove to be useful.

Light-emitting Diodes: The phenomenon of electroluminescence which was discovered by H.J. Round of Britain is the base of light-emitting diodes. H.J. Round discovered electroluminescence in the year 1907. Nick Holonyak Jr. of General Electric Company first created a visible spectrum LED in the year 1962.

Cochlear Implant: This electronic device is implanted in ears by surgical means. For those with hearing problems, the cochlear implant provides a sense of sound and proves to be of help in the hearing process. Bionic ear is the other name given to cochlear implants. Development process which culminated into the creation of cochlear implant went through many phases. However, Count Alessandro Volt of Italy was the first person to carry out electrical stimulation of the auditory system.

The information about inventions of the 1960s presented through this article makes us aware of the important developments which took place in the field of technology. These inventions changed the way we experience this world. The sixties inventions can therefore, be considered as great milestones in the history of scientific development.