So How Old Am I?

The most fun birthday card from a dear knitting friend

Today is my birthday. 67 years old. That's a long time. I thought it would be fun to see what was invented, discovered and developed AFTER I was born.

There were the obvious computer-y things like social media, all the digital stuff, touch screens and iAnything. And then there were the things, like 8-track tapes, VHS players, Atari game systems, and Instamatic cameras, that have already come and gone.

I found some surprises. I thought air conditioning came along after me. It was not a standard for buildings where I grew up until after I was in college, but it was invented and was in use before I was born. I guessed that paper towels hit the market after me—but no, they were an item earlier than 1949, as were asphalt and styrofoam.

No, I am not older than dinosaurs or steam engines even though the granddaughters think I came over with the Pilgrims. They also think Daddy-O is 28. They don't have a strong grasp of age yet.

So what has happened in my 67 years? Here is a list of things that have come along after I was born. Most of them feel like they've been around forever.

I AM OLDER THAN...

     

1.      Color television

2.      Remote control TV

3.      Flat screen TV/digital TV

4.      DVRs

5.      Push button telephones

6.      Portable telephones

7.      Cell phones/Smart phones

8.      Personal computers—laptop & desktop

9.      Handheld calculators

10.  Velcro

11.   Post-It notes

12.  Super glue

13.  Ziploc bags

14.  TV dinners

15.  Instant grits & oatmeal

16.  Ketchup packets

17.  ICEEs/Slurpies

18.  Frosted Flakes & Sugar Smacks

19.  Jif peanut butter, Jiffy Pop, & Cheese Whiz

20.  Cake mix

21.  Microwave ovens (for home use)

22.  Ebooks/Kindles

23.  GPS guidance systems

24.  Drive-thru fast food windows

25. Online shopping

26.  ATMs

27.  Banking drive-up windows

28.  Internet

29.  WiFi

30.  Text messages

31.  Email

32.  Google

33.  Answering machines

34.  Spandex

35.  Panty hose

36.  Corning Ware

37.  Tupperware

38.  Non-stick cookware 

39.  CDs/DVDs

40.  Plastic bags

41.  Bubble wrap

42.  Con-Tact paper

43.   Bar codes

44.  AA batteries

45.  Smoke detectors

46.  Cordless power tools

47.  Polar fleece

48.  MasterCard & VISA

49.  Radial tires

50.  State of Alaska

51.  State of Hawaii

52.  Power steering

53.  Automatic sliding doors

54.  Sharpie pens & Magic Markers

55.  Diet soda

56.  Barbie dolls

57.  Mr. Potato Head

58.  Hula hoops

59.  Silly putty

60.  Play Doh

61.  Commercial jet liners

62.  Weather satellites

63.  Hydrogen bomb

64.  The “I Love Lucy” television show

65.   Mad magazine

66.  James Bond  (the novels & the movies)

67.  Rock ‘n Roll

I have always thought that if I were six weeks younger, I would sound much younger. Being born "in the 40s" just sounds older to me than being a child of the "50s." If you are much younger than me, you're thinking, "That ALL sounds old!" You are right. We all are.