90's Tech: Here Today, Forgotten Tomorrow

The 90's Era Presentation ignited feelings of nostalgia and humor. Technology over the decades has grown at a tremendously fast rate and we, the consumers, continue to spend our money on the latest and hottest items on the market.  The thing is, before we can even become proficient at using one technological device, there is probably a newer and better version released.  For example, the portable DVD player was a huge hit when it was released, especially for travelers. No longer did we have to wait to return home to watch a film; it was right in the palm of our hand! As cool as the portable DVD player was, it is now an obsolete device.  Another example of a hot item turned cold is the late 90s cell phone. My mom purchased one and I remember it being big and heavy. The sleek look of iPhones was in the distant future. The unbreakable Nokia had not been introduced yet! I'm pretty sure someone, somewhere has one of those Nokia phones that still works today, but I digress. 

As exhilarating as new technology may be, behind the scenes there are always creative and innovative people working on the next big thing. The bright and shiny device that we'd be willing to stand in long lines for will quickly become an afterthought. One thing to be optimistic about is the continuous discovery of new technology, specifically adaptive tecnology, that can enhance the field of Occupational Therapy and provide new ways of helping people reach higher levels of independence.