“Learn the past, watch the present, and create the future.” – Jess Conrad
In today’s show, Tessa checks in from a time capsule in Oregon that is her father’s office—filled with layers of creation and inventions that span over 40 years; we are taken back to some very different times. Join us on this nostalgic journey and learn how the past can become a lens to our future.
The Technology of the Past
The Apollo 11 guidance computer that landed on the moon had 2000 bytes of memory. Today’s phones hold 9 billion times that with 64-gigabit memory. That computer weighed 70 pounds; meanwhile, our average phone is 6 ounces – 1000 times lighter.
In the ’80s, there were modems you would place your phones on, computers you plugged into your TV, switching between the two devices, and programs on cassette tapes. You would insert the cassette into your computer to do math programs and calculations. The computers were shockingly heavy and in black and white.
We went from cassette tapes to floppies and from floppies to diskettes. Cassette tapes would get all strung out and ruined for good. Floppies weren’t very reliable, and CDs would start skipping at some point.
The Radio Shack catalogs show us how expensive the technology was back then and how it has become less expensive with the time. The Armatron toy robot was mechanical and couldn’t do too much. Today’s robots are participating in surgeries.
“The past shows us what is going to change.” – Tessa Ashford
The Evolution of Products
“All the past products had some problems that needed to be solved, so they could evolve to what we have now.” – Tessa Ashford
Today we are blessed with fast and light technology. Computers are lighter, faster, smaller, more colorful, and more intuitive. We use cloud storage, and everything is fitter for the nomadic life we lead.
“When we were looking at computers or going on the moon in the beginning, everyone just assumed that we couldn’t do it right. It was inconceivable.” -Tessa Ashford
But when we are ready to think outside the box and come up with new products, we eliminate the inconceivable and create the next generation of products.
The Future Trends
Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are the trends of the future. Today’s Roombas already know how to map and clean the house using AI. We can already shop using virtual reality. Soon, we will be able to put in our measurements, try on the clothes and get them delivered without ever leaving our home. Eco-friendly solutions like electric boats that motor up to 450 horsepower, solid-state or digital batteries are much-needed solutions. Cryptocurrencies will change how we look at money. Electric cars will charge faster and run longer. Hopefully, we will also do something about human interactions on social media.
Three Tips to Help You Invent the Future’s Next Must-Have Products
When you think about what next-generation products you can invent, follow these three steps:
- What has happened in the past, and how was the evolution in that space? For example, horses to cars, cars to automated vehicles, and automated vehicles to self-driving vehicles.
- Focus on the problem and what you can solve with the next version and challenge the status quo.
- Surround yourself with the people who are already creating the future. You’ll learn that the limitations are different in those spaces.
Go on and enjoy the existing technology, but never forget that maybe you are the person to make it better, faster, and more incredible.
The “Idea Pros” at IdeaPros have the resources, experience, and tools to help you at this step or any step in the entrepreneurial journey. We partner with entrepreneurs at any stage and who are ready to invest their ideas. Apply for an interview and let’s explore partnering together.