Ep 5. The Tech Boom

The Eighties is a unique documentary series that takes a closer look at the events, trends and cultural shifts that defined the decade. In season 1 episode 5, titled The Tech Boom, viewers are taken on a journey through the explosion of technology in the 80s.

The episode delves deep into the rise of personal computers, the birth of video games and the proliferation of electronic gadgets that changed the way people lived. We get a glimpse of Steve Jobs introducing the first Macintosh computer in 1984 and how it revolutionized computing. The host also talks to some tech industry pioneers who reveal the challenges and triumphs they faced during this era.

One of the main themes explored in The Tech Boom is the rise of Silicon Valley. We get a behind-the-scenes look at how big tech companies like Apple, Microsoft and IBM became the leaders in the industry and how their influence changed society. Through interviews with industry insiders, we learn about the fierce competition between Apple and Microsoft that defined the early years of the PC market.

The episode also explores the impact of video games and how they shaped the cultural landscape of the 80s. We see how titles like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders became overnight sensations, and how arcades became the go-to hangout spot for teenagers and young adults. We also learn about the NES, the first home console that brought video games into the living room, and how it sparked a new wave of gaming that still exists today.

The Tech Boom also looks at the emergence of electronic gadgets like the Walkman, which changed the way people listened to music and made it portable for the first time. The host takes us back to the launch of the Sony Walkman and how it became a cultural phenomenon. We also see how other gadgets like the calculator, pocket TV, and electronic organizer altered the way people interacted with technology.

The episode concludes by discussing how the tech boom of the 80s paved the way for the internet and the digital revolution of today. We get insights into the early days of the web and how it was a game-changer for businesses and individuals alike. The episode ends with a question, pondering if we could ever have imagined a world without Google, Facebook, and iPhones and how it was all made possible by the tech pioneers of the 80s.

Overall, The Tech Boom is a fascinating look at how technology changed the world during the 80s and how it still shapes our lives to this day. It's an engaging and insightful episode that will appeal to anyone who has ever used a computer, played a video game or listened to a portable music player.