During the 1960s, the United States experienced a great time of technological advances. Many of the inventions that were created in the 1960s were developed through the 1950s and even the 1940s. Here are some of the most important inventions of the 60s.
The Invention of the LASER
One of the first inventions of the 60s was the LASER made by Theodore Maiman. The LASER is now used to watch blue ray movies which are very popular. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Theodore Maiman was born on July 11th 1927 in Los Angeles. In 1956, he began working on the ruby laser project for the US Army Signal Corps. He simplified the machine and reduced it from 5,000 pounds to 25. He worked diligently on the laser until 1960 when he was finally able to demonstrate his work in action. He was extremely resourceful with his work. His costs estimated to about $50,000 while many other inventions during the time cost up to millions of dollars.
One of the first inventions of the 60s was the LASER made by Theodore Maiman. The LASER is now used to watch blue ray movies which are very popular. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Theodore Maiman was born on July 11th 1927 in Los Angeles. In 1956, he began working on the ruby laser project for the US Army Signal Corps. He simplified the machine and reduced it from 5,000 pounds to 25. He worked diligently on the laser until 1960 when he was finally able to demonstrate his work in action. He was extremely resourceful with his work. His costs estimated to about $50,000 while many other inventions during the time cost up to millions of dollars.
The Invention of Valium
Another important invention was the drug Valium invented by Leo Sternbach. In the late 1960s, Valium was the most prescribed drug in America. He became a mogul in research science for a combination of chemicals that soothed anxious, agitated and irritated housewives and executives. His drug was not well received by all. He did not regularly take the drug himself claiming that it makes him depressed. Some people thought that his drug was a curse but he combated that by saying all drugs can be abused not just Valium. Valium was a great substitute for alcohol. It didn’t taste bad, it wasn’t frowned upon, and it was very portable. People didn’t have to worry about overdose because it could not kill you unless it was taken with a combination of other drugs and alcohol. In small doses, it is used as a good muscle relaxant but in heavier doses it was a great mind number and pain killer which made it addictive psychologically.
Another important invention was the drug Valium invented by Leo Sternbach. In the late 1960s, Valium was the most prescribed drug in America. He became a mogul in research science for a combination of chemicals that soothed anxious, agitated and irritated housewives and executives. His drug was not well received by all. He did not regularly take the drug himself claiming that it makes him depressed. Some people thought that his drug was a curse but he combated that by saying all drugs can be abused not just Valium. Valium was a great substitute for alcohol. It didn’t taste bad, it wasn’t frowned upon, and it was very portable. People didn’t have to worry about overdose because it could not kill you unless it was taken with a combination of other drugs and alcohol. In small doses, it is used as a good muscle relaxant but in heavier doses it was a great mind number and pain killer which made it addictive psychologically.
The Invention of the Compact Cassette
One of the ground-breaking inventions of the 60s was the Compact Cassette developed by Philips. A compact Cassette or a tape is a magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. It comes in two forms either already having pre-recorded content or as a recordable blank cassette. It was introduced in the United States under the Norelco brand in November 1964 with the Compact Cassette trademark. Soon after the product was invented, pre-recorded cassette tapes began being released. The Mercury Recording Company which is a US affiliate of Philips introduced a pre-recorded cassette in July 1966.
One of the ground-breaking inventions of the 60s was the Compact Cassette developed by Philips. A compact Cassette or a tape is a magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. It comes in two forms either already having pre-recorded content or as a recordable blank cassette. It was introduced in the United States under the Norelco brand in November 1964 with the Compact Cassette trademark. Soon after the product was invented, pre-recorded cassette tapes began being released. The Mercury Recording Company which is a US affiliate of Philips introduced a pre-recorded cassette in July 1966.
Timeline of Other Inventions in the 1960s
1963
- The video disk invented.
- BASIC (an early computer language) is invented by John George Kemeny and Tom Kurtz.
- Electronic Fuel injection for cars invented.
- The first handheld calculator invented.
- The computer mouse invented by Douglas Engelbart.
- The first computer with integrated circuits made.
- Robert Dennard invented RAM (random access memory).
- The arpanet (first internet) invented.
- The artificial heart invented.
- The ATM invented.
- The bar-code scanner is invented.
Page Written By: Michael Oguine