1960s: The United States Post Office begins widespread implementation of mechanized letter- sorting machines and high-speed optical character readers.

Today: After a few postal workers die and others fall sick from inhaling the deadly sporeforming bacterium Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) sent in letters, the postal service implements a process for irradiating the mail to destroy the presence of any biohazardous material.

1960s: Sixty percent of the world's automobiles are in the United States.

Today: Ford and rival General Motors Corporation, two of the world's largest automobile producers, predict that United States vehicle sales will drop about 10 percent in 2002 from the previous year's near-record high.

1960s: The life expectancy for American males is 66.6 and for females 73.1.

Today: The life expectancy for American males is 74.3 and for females 79.1.