10 Icons from 1976 Turning 50: From Nespresso to Steve Jobs' Breakout
A look back at the icons from 1976 that are turning 50 in 2026. Discover 10 symbols of tech and culture that changed the world, from Nespresso to Steve Jobs' Breakout.
Feel old yet? A host of technologies, foods, and cultural touchstones that defined a generation are about to celebrate their 50th birthday in 2026. Born in 1976, their arrival wasn't just another product launch; they shaped the lifestyle of an era and laid the groundwork for the future.
Tech's "Class of '76": Dawn of the Digital Age
The birth of personal technology is one of the year's biggest legacies. At Atari, two little-known technicians named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak handled the technical side of the video game 'Breakout,' which became an instant arcade success and remained in the global top five most popular games for the next two years. In that same year, the iconic 5¼-inch floppy disk was introduced, changing data storage. Meanwhile, Kodak engineer Steve Sasson unveiled the world's first functioning filmless digital camera, signaling the beginning of the end for the age of film.
The home environment was also transforming. Inspired by an espresso bar in Rome, Nestlé engineer Eric Favre patented his innovative coffee pod machine in 1976: the Nespresso. Today, a staggering 14 billion of these coffee capsules are sold annually, defining the at-home coffee experience.
The Tastes and Sounds of an Era
1976 was a golden year for pop culture. In December, rock band the Eagles released 'Hotel California.' The album has since sold over 42 million copies worldwide and remains cited as one of the greatest of all time. At the cinema, the horror film 'The Omen' broke new ground and set a new standard for the genre.
The food and beverage industry also delivered some memorable brands. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven, struggling to compete, introduced the massive 32-ounce (950 ml) 'Big Gulp,' which became an immediate success. Also making their debut were the honey and brown sugar cereal 'Golden Grahams,' the carbonated popping candy 'Pop Rocks,' and the 'Everlasting Gobstopper,' a real-life candy inspired by Roald Dahl's famous book.
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