20 Tech Treasures That Turn 20 Alongside Sleek

Two Decades of Tech Marvels, and We’re Just Getting Started 

Hey there, tech enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious minds! As we finish out 2023, we’re raising our glasses to Sleek Consulting’s remarkable 20 years in the game. Yep, it’s a big one for us!

But here’s the real kicker – it’s not just Sleek Consulting hitting the big two-zero. The tech world has a reason to throw confetti in the air, too, because 2023 marks the 20th birthday of some incredible tech wonders that have shaped the way we live, work, and play.

So, pull up a virtual seat and join me on this journey down memory lane. We’re about to time-travel back to the year 2003 – an era of flip phones, dial-up internet, and cargo pants (don’t judge, it was a thing). But amidst all that, it was a year that gave birth to some tech legends that continue to rock our digital world.

In this blog, we’re going to uncover 20 tech treasures from 2003 that have aged like fine wine (or maybe like a vintage meme) and are still making waves today. From the iconic iTunes Store to the revolutionary LinkedIn – it’s all on the table.

1. iTunes Store

In 2003, Apple hit the play button on the iTunes Store, giving us a one-stop shop for all our digital music cravings.

Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/04/28/itunes-music-store-turns-20/

2. Skype

The year 2003 marked the launch of Skype, making it possible for long-distance friendships to survive on video calls and funny virtual backgrounds. Who would’ve predicted that video conferencing would become so commonplace?

Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/skype-history_b_1283414

3. LinkedIn

In the same year, LinkedIn stepped onto the professional networking stage, helping us connect, collaborate, and occasionally update our profile pictures.

Source: https://wiredelta.com/how-was-linkedin-developed/

4. WordPress

2003 also saw the birth of WordPress, the content management system that made website building as easy as pie (or rather, as easy as blogging).

Source: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/wordpress-firstrelease-1.png

5. Blackberry 7230

BlackBerry 7230, the O.G. business phone with email superpowers, was the talk of the tech town.

Source: https://theblackbgadget.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/blackberry-7230-launched-in-2003/

6. Toyota Prius

The first-generation Toyota Prius, a pioneer in hybrid cars, was introduced.

Source: https://www.kbb.com/toyota/prius/2003/

7. MySpace

MySpace, our early digital diary, arrived on the scene in 2003, where everyone was a top-eight friend.

Source: https://crackmagazine.net/2019/03/myspace-loses-all-music-uploaded-between-2003-and-2015/

8. Android

Little did we know in 2003 that Android was quietly getting ready to change the smartphone game forever.

Source: https://www.unixmen.com/the-history-of-android/

9. Tesla

Elon Musk’s brainchild, Tesla, had its beginnings in 2003, hinting at a future of electric cars that could go “Ludicrous Mode” fast.

Source: https://spacenews.com/rewind-a-2003-interview-with-elon-the-six-million-dollar-man-musk/

10. miniSD

With miniSD, we could finally store more cat pictures on our phones–a crucial development for the internet’s future.

Source: https://obsoletemedia.org/data/solid-state-media/

11. CAPTCHA Concept

In a world filled with bots, the concept for CAPTCHA came to our rescue, separating humans from the machines (most of the time). Thanks, 2003.

Source: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/captcha.htm

12. 22-inch LCD TV

With an MPSP of a mere $4,999, Sharp released the world’s largest LCD TV at the time, marking a shift towards flat-panel displays.

Source: https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/sharp-aquos-lc-30hv4u-lcd-hdtv-11-2003-part-1.html

13. First Call of Duty Game

Gamers got their trigger fingers ready with the release of the first Call of Duty game, marking the start of an epic gaming saga.

Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/15/a-visual-history-of-call-of-duty

14. Notepad++

Notepad++ became the coder’s best friend, making coding a breeze. And colorful.

Source: https://www.ithistory.org/db/software/don-ho/notepad

15. CAN-SPAM Law

CAN-SPAM was signed into law, attempting to put an end to the endless stream of pesky email spam, acting as the first commercial email legislation in the United States.

Source: https://marketwise.co.uk/about-us/can-spam/

16. AMD 64-bit Processor

AMD released its first 64-bit processor, changing the way we looked at computing power.

Source: https://cpumuseum.jimdofree.com/museum/amd/athlon-64/

17. Safari Browser

Apple introduced Safari, giving us a new way to explore the vast wilderness of the internet.

Source: https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/apples-safari-web-browser-is-20-years-old/

18. Valve’s Steam

Valve opened the doors to Steam, the ultimate gaming library and digital playground for gamers.

Source: https://fraghero.com/watch-the-incredible-evolution-of-steam-from-2003-to-2016/

19. Pirate Bay

While we are absolutely not endorsing piracy, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that 2003 marks the year Pirate Bay came online, forever changing the digital filesharing sharing landscape.

Source: https://torrentfreak.com/the-pirate-bay-turns-10-years-old-the-history-130810/

20. Shutterstock

Shutterstock arrived, helping us add that perfect image to our projects without going on a photo hunt.

Source: https://www.inc.com/christine-lagorio/bootstrappers-bible-shutterstock-founder-success-story.html

As we wrap up our journey through these remarkable tech milestones of 2003, it’s not just about celebrating the past—it’s about recognizing the enduring spirit of innovation. Just like Sleek, which has thrived for two decades by embracing change and finding solutions, the impact of these tech treasures have stood the test of time. They’ve adapted, evolved, and, in some cases, sparked revolutions that continue to shape our world today.

So, here’s to Sleek’s 20 years of excellence and to these 20 tech wonders that have left their indelible mark on our lives! As we step into the future, let’s remember that it’s the blend of experience and innovation that propels us forward. Who knows what the next 20 years will bring? One thing’s for sure: we’re ready to face it head-on, just as we always have. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and here’s to many more years of tech discoveries and consulting success! Cheers to the past and the promising future ahead.