A look at some of the possible attractions of gadgets for men and discussing the question “are gadgets for men only?” or are becoming more attractive to women.

Can It Really Be Said That Gadgets Are Only For Men?

Are gadgets for men only? If you were to believe all that is shown to us in the popular media, then the answer would be a ‘yes’; James Bond wouldn’t be complete without his gizmos, the A-Team would be high-and-dry if they didn’t have Mr. T’s technical know-how and Dr. Who would have been exterminated long ago. Whether it’s a wristwatch that fires darts, a souped-up dumper-truck or a sonic screwdriver - men seem obsessed by those bits of technology that can make their lives easier or more entertaining.

So, just what is the attraction of gadgets for men? It has been suggested that this fascination has roots in the ‘traditional’ upbringing of girls and boys; while girls, in the past, have been encouraged to play with dolls and learn the rudiments of cookery, boys have been encouraged to play with cars and learn the rudiments of building – and often dismantling – items such as crystal-radio sets. However, how do you then go on to explain characters such as Heston Blumenthal, for whom cooking is a science, riddled with gadgets?

It has also been suggested that gadgets for men transport the adult back to his boyhood; an adult equivalent of remote-control cars and computer-game consoles – perhaps some sort of electronic comfort blanket. Others suggest that the attraction in gadgets for men lies in the ‘every man needs his cave’ theory; tinkering with a gizmo in the potting shed allows a man some downtime to focus his brain on something apart from the rudiments of the day and the stresses and strains of life.

There are many theories as to what makes gadgets for men so important, including increasing a man’s status, obsessions with ‘cool’, entertainment and sheer practicality. However, take a look around you and you’ll notice that gadgets for men are changing. Many of the hard, angular design-lines are being replaced with softer curves and sleeker finishes. Once heavy gadgets for men to wield with pride are now being made smaller, lighter and more easy-to-use. Why? The answer is simple: new gadgets are now no longer part of a male monopoly; women are interested in them, too.