Purveyors of Technology

The technological revolution was already in full-force by the time we were born.  Electricity, internal combustion engines, air travel, phones and televisions, refrigeration, and many more devices were in common use.  But as the technology curve increased at an exponential rate, we saw more and more advances in new and exciting applications of technology.

With the widespread prosperity experienced in our society, came the general acceptance and availability of technological devices to the masses.  Noticeably, too, as products matured, more competitive products were developed, prices become more reasonable, and greater levels of ownership were guaranteed.  For example, for the early adopters, a new video cassette recorder or microwave oven could be had for something in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars, which was quite expensive in the mid- to late-70s.  However, waiting a few years, these same items could be had at more reasonable price points in the range of $200-400.

The importance of this rapid growth, affordability, and adoption of various devices meant that our generation had easy access to these contraptions.  We began to use them in daily life, almost making them devices of necessity.  The same patterns of creation, early adoption, and product maturity lead to repeated availability. 

Additionally, the advanced applications of one type of technology across to another field has had superlative effects.  For example, advancements in video, initially for entertainment purposes has crossed over into the medical fields.  And the use of ceramic technologies was instrumental in various heat applications such as cooking and the NASA space shuttle program.

There are literally too many uses to count of applications of technology and their re-application into other fields.  Some of the more prevalent technological items and fields to become "mainstream" in our years...

1. Computers and video games
2. Mobile phones
3. Television, video, and camera
4. Military devices
5. Medical devices, health, and safety
6. Space and exploration
7. Chemicals
8. Genetics
9. Athletics equipment
10. Construction materials and techniques
11. Food and food preparation
12. Transportation
13. Energy production
14. Medicines and pharmaceuticals
15. Robotics
16. Nanotechnology

...and the list goes on.

Here is a great list from Wikipedia, List of Inventions.