In an absurdly short amount of time, Wearable Tech has becoming an essential part of our lives. From healthcare to fitness and beyond, Wearable Tech companies and inventions are pushing forward our interaction with technology like never before.
It seems almost like yesterday that we purchased or started using our first smartphone as an example. It has been only a short few years when the first iPhone was released on June 29, 2009. That’s just over 15 years ago, yet there are now over 1 Billion in circulation and counting…
Or the FitBit as another example. March 26th, 2007. A little over 17 years ago and now hundreds of millions of people track their daily movements religiously…
So while it is anyone’s guess where it all ends up going, let’s take a look at 10 of the major inventions and data points from the last 50 years that have progressed us to where we are now. Below is the infographic compiling it all, and the data points are below.
Enjoy… and keep dreaming about what will literally be just around the corner!
1. 1977: The First Wearable Computer
Product: HP-01 Details: Hewlett-Packard releases the HP-01, a calculator watch with a built-in microprocessor, setting the stage for future wearable technology.
2. 1983: Introduction of Wearable Hearing Aids
Product: Cochlear Implant Details: The FDA approves the first cochlear implant, a significant advancement in wearable tech for medical applications.
3. 1994: The First Wearable Heart Rate Monitor
Product: Polar Sport Tester PE 2000 Details: Polar introduces the first wireless heart rate monitor, revolutionizing fitness tracking.
4. 1998: The First Wearable Camera
Product: Steve Mann’s Wearable Wireless Webcam Details: Often considered the father of wearable computing, Steve Mann develops a wearable wireless webcam, streaming live video over the internet.
5. 2000: Introduction of Bluetooth Headsets
Product: Ericsson HBH-10 Details: Ericsson releases one of the first Bluetooth headsets, paving the way for hands-free communication.
6. 2004: Smart Clothing Emerges
Product: Burton and Apple’s Audex Jacket Details: Burton Snowboards and Apple collaborate to create a jacket with integrated iPod controls, marking the beginning of smart clothing.
7. 2010: The First Fitness Tracker
Product: Fitbit Tracker Details: Fitbit releases its first fitness tracker, the Fitbit Classic, starting the trend of consumer fitness wearables.
8. 2012: Smartwatches Gain Popularity
Product: Pebble Smartwatch Details: Pebble raises over $10 million on Kickstarter for its e-paper smartwatch, highlighting the demand for wrist-worn smart devices.
9. 2013: The First Augmented Reality Glasses
Product: Google Glass Details: Google releases Google Glass, a head-mounted display that brings augmented reality to the mainstream.
10. 2020: Advanced Health Monitoring
Product: Apple Watch Series 6 Details: Apple introduces blood oxygen monitoring and ECG capabilities in its Apple Watch Series 6, further integrating health monitoring into consumer wearables.
For our full list of current deals on Wearable Tech products that we recommend, click here.
