The phenomena of space junk has grown exponentially since 1958, when the US launched a satellite named Vanguard, the hulk of which is still out there alongside such familiar objects as a glove, camera, toothbrush, wrench and garbage bags. As of 5 July 2016, the United States Strategic Command tracked a total of 17,729 artificial objects orbiting earth.

Apple's iPod sales past the 100 million mark in 2007, contributing 48% of the company’s total sales. It then fell into precipitous decline as newer technologies superseded it, and the iPod Classic was discontinued in 2014.