What was invented when? Ten technologies and their release dates

Presumably your apocalypse is going to render obsolete most if not all technology, but you still don't want your 80s teen protagonist texting her friends about the zombies at the post-prom party; she'd be on the telephone calling, not texting.

So before you bestow or remove tech from your characters, make sure your timeline of inventions lines up. Below is a list of ten technological inventions and their release dates.

Check out the Russian characters on the dial - this must have come through the Cold War. (Photo credit: Marjan Blan on Unsplash.)

Blackberry: Invented in 1999; peak usage 2011; stopped manufacturing in 2016

Car phones: Invented in the mid 1940s; heyday was the 1980s

Cell phones: Invented in early 1970s; became prevalent in 1990s

Fitbits: Released in 2007

iPhones: Released in 2007

This phone only looks like it went through an apocalypse. (Photo credit: Myke Simon on Unsplash.)

iPod: Released 2001

Kindle: Released in 2007

Palm Pilot: Released 1997

Smart phones: Invented in early 1990s; became popular with the 2007 iPhone

Smart watches: invented, depending on your definition, 1972, 1983, 1994, and others. Apple's was released in 2015.

When you think you're ready for an editor and/or proofreader for your post-apocalyptic novel (congratulations!), I'd be honored to read your work. My #1 goal as a freelance editor is to make your words flow so seamlessly your readers won't be able to put your book down!