20 Familiar Products Looked When They First Appeared
Here’s a look at how 20 familiar products appeared when they first launched and how they’ve evolved over time:
1. Coca-Cola (1886)
When Coca-Cola first appeared, it was sold in pharmacies as a medicinal tonic, with a greenish liquid. The original formula contained coca leaf extract and was marketed as a brain tonic and stimulant.
2. Apple iPhone (2007)
The first iPhone was revolutionary but had a significantly smaller screen compared to today’s models, no front camera, and limited storage. It lacked apps, and only allowed pre-installed Apple software.
3. McDonald’s Big Mac (1967)
The Big Mac’s original name was “The Aristocrat” and it wasn’t immediately a success. Over time, it was rebranded and became McDonald’s iconic double-decker burger, featuring the famous special sauce.
4. Nike Shoes (1971)
Nike’s first shoe, known as the “Moon Shoe,” was hand-sewn by co-founder Bill Bowerman using a waffle iron for the sole pattern. They were far less sleek than modern-day Nikes, focusing on function over form.
5. LEGO (1930s)
The first LEGO blocks were wooden toys, created by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen. It wasn’t until the 1950s that LEGO transitioned to the now-iconic interlocking plastic bricks.
6. Pepsi (1893)
Originally known as “Brad’s Drink,” it was created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham and marketed as a digestion aid. The drink was rebranded as Pepsi-Cola in 1898.
7. Ford Model T (1908)
The first Ford Model T, known as the “Tin Lizzie,” was a basic black automobile designed to be affordable for the masses. It revolutionized transportation but was very basic by modern car standards.
8. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)
The first Game Boy was a bulky, grey handheld device with a small monochrome screen. Despite its simplicity, it became a global sensation and laid the foundation for modern portable gaming.
9. Barbie Doll (1959)
The original Barbie wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit and had a glamorous pin-up style. Over time, Barbie has evolved to represent various careers, body types, and ethnicities.
10. Google (1998)
When Google first launched, it was a simple, plain text search engine running on Stanford University’s servers. Its minimalist homepage remains iconic, though vastly improved in functionality.
11. Starbucks Coffee (1971)
The first Starbucks in Seattle primarily sold coffee beans and equipment for home brewing. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Starbucks expanded into a café model selling espresso-based drinks.
12. Microsoft Windows (1985)
The first version of Windows, 1.0, had a very basic graphical user interface (GUI) with overlapping windows and rudimentary icons. It lacked many of the features found in today’s versions.
13. PlayStation (1994)
Sony’s first PlayStation was a grey console with a simple design and used CD-ROMs instead of cartridges. It revolutionized gaming with 3D graphics, setting the stage for today’s high-powered consoles.
14. Amazon (1994)
Amazon started as an online bookstore run out of Jeff Bezos’ garage. Its website was basic, offering only books, with none of the vast product variety seen today.
15. iPod (2001)
The original iPod had a bulky design with a mechanical scroll wheel and only 5GB of storage, holding up to 1,000 songs. It was groundbreaking but vastly different from the sleek, touch-screen devices of today.
16. Polaroid Camera (1948)
The first Polaroid camera, developed by Edwin Land, was large and cumbersome, but it introduced the world to instant photography. The early model produced sepia-toned images.
17. Tesla Roadster (2008)
Tesla’s first car, the Roadster, was a high-performance electric sports car. While innovative for its time, it lacked the mass appeal and technological advancements of Tesla’s later models like the Model S.
18. Burger King Whopper (1957)
The Whopper was originally advertised as a large, flame-broiled burger sold for 37 cents. It’s grown over the years with various versions, though the core idea of a larger-than-average burger remains.
19. Sony Walkman (1979)
The first Sony Walkman was a bulky, blue-and-silver cassette player. It revolutionized portable music but was a far cry from today’s digital music players and smartphones.
20. Disney’s Mickey Mouse (1928)
Mickey Mouse first appeared in the animated short Steamboat Willie. His early design was more simplistic and rough around the edges, far from the polished version we know today.
Each of these products has undergone significant transformations, but their original versions remain a fascinating glimpse into how far innovation and design have come.
Bonus: The oldest condom (370 years old)
This reusable contraceptive item is made from sheepskin and was used in Sweden in the 1600s. Instructions for it have even been preserved, in which it's recommended that it be cleaned using warm milk in order to help the user avoid catching a venereal disease.
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