Wearable Technologies

Function:
1.Prosthetic limbs for the function of movement
2.For the function of entertainment ex. Walkman's, I-pods, other various MP3 players.
3. For the function of communication ex. cellphones, blue tooth headsets
4. For the function of security and personal safety ex. bugs or wires worn to record personal conversations
5. For the function of personal health ex. personal heart rate monitors along with personal calorie counters that count how many calories you are burning when running.
6. For the function of style ex. light up bracelets, watches, ear rings, necklaces ect.
7. A long shot, but thinking outside of the box there is always the function of sexual stimulation.... I am not going to list those off. The internet exists for a reason people can find that out for themselves.

Culture:
1. The Cosplay culture has produced many wearable technologies. For those that don't know Cosplay is a hobby where people dress up as fictional characters from movies, video games, comics and more. A right of passage is held in that the person with the best costume gains and elite social status over those that have inferior craft. Many cosplay wearables include fake lasers, and light up elements like armor and helmets.

2. The Gaming culture: Nerds, Noobs, and Geeks. The best example that comes to mind is the Nintendo power glove. It was a wearable glove that functioned as a movement sensitive controller. While the idea never took off and totally bombed it became the predecessor for the Nintendo Wii Mote "Another controller that captured movement." Head sets are also used by the gaming culture. Mostly they are used for communication between teammates when trying to coordinate in multi-player online matches. Headsets can also function as personal surround sound systems. Most high end gaming headsets come with Dolby 7.1 surround sound built into them.

2. The club culture: Candy kids, Ravers, Club goers. The club scene has been big since the 70's. It only got worse in the 80's and took a strange turn in the 90's. Now in the present day age of electronic music, dubstep and raves it is not uncommon to see people decked out with glow sticks, light up bracelets and other light up contraptions that can be twirled around.