The Fascinating Evolution Of Screen Technology

From our smartphones and TVs to laptops and tablets, it is not unusual for most of us to spend at least half of our waking hours in front of a screen. Of course, the types of screens and the amazing ways they work have definitely evolved over the decades — whether you are old enough to remember watching Lawrence Welk on your grandma’s massive black and white TV console, or young enough that your first smartphone was an Apple iPhone 5S.

The Birth of TV

In 1897 a Nobel-prize-winning physicist and inventor named Karl Ferdinand Braun built the first Cathode-Ray-Tube (CRT). This technology was later used to display images on some of the first TVs and computer monitors. By the early 1950s, televisions are able to show color, using technology called luminance and chrominance. TV models varied quite a bit back then in terms of their technology, so what viewers could actually see in terms of color was determined by what type of television they owned.

Touchscreen Tech

In 1965, E. A. Johnson invented the first touchscreen technology. Back then, this innovative method was used primarily for air traffic control jobs, but over time it has exploded to include the way we use ATM machines, manage the apps on our phones, check in at the doctor’s office and much more.

The First Mac

Fast-forward almost two decades to 1984 and the first Macintosh computer came along. It featured a 9-inch monochromatic 512 x 342 pixel display that is now dwarfed by today’s Mac with its 5,120 x 2,880 pixels and much larger screen that can show tons of bright colors.

TVs are Getting Bigger

By the 1990s, televisions were getting larger, albeit bulkier. Rear projection TVs took up a lot of space in living rooms until digital light processing and other technology led to thinner sets.

The Debut of Retina Display

In 2014, Apple started to market smartphones and other tech with “retina display” and “retina HD display.” What this means is that the screens have such amazing resolution, your eyes are unable to notice any pixilation. Retina display is making the news again these days with the upcoming release of the iPhone X; the device features an all-new 5.8 inch Super Retina screen that looks incredibly clear and allows the display to precisely follow the curves of the phone’s screen, all the way to the corners. Colors will be more accurate than ever and movies, photos, websites and more will look terrific.

Google Glass

Google Glass is essentially a pair of clear frames that do a variety of tech functions like taking photos, accessing programs and more through the sound of your voice. Google Glass was recently upgraded to have more memory and handle more apps, including Shazam and Live Stream. You can use Google Glass to see your upcoming trip info with a Google Now reminder, along with weather updates and more — all of this will show up in the top right corner of the wearer’s field of vision.

Coming Soon: Contact Lenses That Act as Screens

Speaking of vision, remember when contact lenses merely helped you to see? Now, contact lenses can function as tiny screens worn on the eyeballs. Future contact lenses may feature a camera as well as motion sensors, and wearers will be able to see images and video using the lens. Imagine taking photos by blinking and then seeing the images right away, or driving with the correct route lit up in blue.