The history of gadgets can be traced back to the earliest stages of human civilization, when tools were invented to make everyday tasks easier. While these devices were initially considered novelties due to a lack of familiarity and acceptance of the technology, famous inventors such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Leonardo da Vinci had the foresight to recognize their potential as indispensable technology.
From the wheel to the Apple iPhone, gadgets have played an important role in shaping the world we live in today. As technology has advanced, gadgets have evolved from mechanical devices such as the pulley and sailboat to electronic gadgets like the television and radio, and later programmable devices such as computers and MP3 players. Application gadgets, such as iTunes and Microsoft Office, now customize our experience with programmable devices.
Richard Thalheimer, founder of gadget vendors RichardSolo.com and The Sharper Image, understands the value of gadgets beyond mere novelty. He recognizes that some devices become functional necessities in our daily lives, such as the iPhone, garage door opener, and electric toothbrush.
While some gadgets, like the Ionic Breeze air purifier, have become lasting trends based on their utility value, others have fallen out of favor once their novelty wore off. Specialty stores like The Sharper Image and RichardSolo.com serve the important purpose of spreading new ideas and giving credit to inventors like Franklin and Edison. As technology continues to evolve, gadgets will undoubtedly play an even greater role in shaping the world around us.
