Twenty Years Of Micro UK - Part One
Words by Micro UKMarch 07, 2024
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5 minutes
20 Years of Micro UK – Part one
The most significant and most surprising cultural moments between 2004-2014.
In 2024, Micro UK turns the big 2 0h – twenty years of scooting shenanigans; we can't quite believe it!
We’ve come a long way from selling the very first UK pallet of Mini Micros mum to mum, so we thought it might be fun to look at the significant world events that have taken place while Micro UK has been busy innovating cleaner, greener and more fun ways of getting from A to B. The ones that delighted us, the ones that shook us and the ones that we didn’t quite know what to do with…
2004
2004 was an Olympic year, and the games returned to their roots in Athens, Greece. Who can forget the look on Dame Kelly Holmes' face when she powered over the line to win her 2nd gold medal in the athletics arena?
Space exploration continued with NASA’s two Mars rovers – Spirit & Opportunity - landing safely on the red planet in January 2004. Both robotic geologists exceeded expectations by sending back incredible images and data. Spirit continued to work until 2010 while Opportunity broke records for the longest time served by a rover, continuing to operate until 2019!
In 2004, we said goodbye to two iconic television shows. The last episode of Friends aired in May, and Sex in the City also bowed out this year. One, however, would make a surprise return 17 years later…
2005
Dame Ellen MacArthur beat the existing world record for circumnavigating the globe solo, sailing 27,354 nautical miles (50,660 km) in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes 33 seconds, all while checking in regularly with her video diary.
We witnessed the devasting power of nature as category 5 Hurricane Katrina wreaked destruction in the state of Louisiana, USA. Leaving 80% of New Orleans flooded and causing massive loss of life.
The world needed a new hero - Daniel Craig was announced as the new 007 and introduced himself as “Bond, James Bond”.
2006
Pluto was expelled from the planetary club after a vote by members of the International Astronomical Union and was relegated to dwarf planet status.
Tweeting was no longer just for birds – in 2006, social media platform Twitter was launched by Jack Dorsey when he tweeted, "just setting up my twttr,".
Nintendo launched the Wii, and we were all bowling and playing tennis in our living rooms.
Meanwhile, at Micro UK, Micro scooters hit the shelves at John Lewis, and the Mini Micro became a bestseller!
2007
2007 was a year of environmental awareness.
Live Earth, a 24-hour, 7-continent series of concerts, took place on 7th July, bringing together more than 100 music artists. The Alliance for Climate Protection organised the concerts to raise awareness of and encourage action to prevent climate change. Live Earth took place in New York, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hamburg.
The Smoking Ban came into effect in the UK, and we all breathe easier in public places.
A total lunar eclipse got skywatchers out in force to watch as the Earth's shadow covered the moon, giving it a red appearance.
Micro Launched their 3-wheeled scooter for older Kids – The Maxi Micro.
2008
A year of firsts…
In Formula 1 motor racing, Lewis Hamilton became the then-youngest-ever Formula One World Champion in motor racing. This would be his first of 7 world titles (and counting…)
Air BnB listed its first property and, thankfully, shortened its name from the not-as-catchy airbedandbreakfast.com
The USA elected its first African American president, Barack Obama.
2009
On 15th January 2009, US Airways Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger became an overnight hero when he and his crew safely crash-landed a commercial aeroplane in the freezing waters of the Hudson River after a freak encounter with a flock of geese. All 155 passengers and crew aboard survived. ‘Sully’ was played by Tom Hanks in the eponymous movie, which came out in 2016 and was directed by Clint Eastwood.
Susan Boyle's "Britain's Got Talent" Audition stunned us: The Scottish singer's powerful performance captivated audiences worldwide.
Our favourite monster made his TV debut when the animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo aired on BBC1 on Xmas day and was watched by 9.8 million.
2010
Lady Gaga shocked us when she wore an actual Meat dress to the MTV awards.
You may forget, but One Direction didn’t win X Factor in 2010; they were second. Matt Cardle was, in fact, the champion this year, not that it hurt 1D too much!
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai opened in January 2010 and became the world's tallest building, with a height of 829.8 m and a ground-to-roof height of 828 m.
2011
In an extravagant ceremony, Prince William and Kate Middleton married at Westminster Abbey in front of a worldwide audience of 750 million.
Neptune completed its first documented orbit since its discovery in 1846 in July 2011.
2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the Mr Men book series by Roger Hargreaves – Mr Tickle was the first Mr Man book to be published in 1971. Little Miss Princess was published in 2011 to mark the anniversary and a nod to the Royal wedding.
Micro unveiled a ride-on toddler scooter, the Mini 3in1 Deluxe, and the first Micro Scooter Accessories were launched.
2012
Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond (Daniel Craig) ‘parachuted’ into the Olympic stadium as part of Danny Boyle’s glorious opening ceremony to the London Olympics.
The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic was commemorated in Southampton, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and around the world, and the debate reignited over whether there was room on the door for Jack in the movie version.
Bradley Wiggins was triumphant in the 2012 Tour de France bicycle race, the first British rider ever to win.
Pam St Clement makes her final appearance as Pat Butcher in Eastenders after 26 years of playing the character on New Year's Day.
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
Micro UK formalised its 'giving back' schemes by officially launching ScooterAid, Scoot Safe and The Hospital Scheme.
2013
King in the pub car park - Scientists confirmed that a skeleton buried under a car park in Leicester was that of English king Richard III.
Death of Nelson Mandela: The world mourned the passing of South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, on 5th December 2013
Andy Murray became the first British man to lift the Wimbledon singles trophy since Fred Perry in 1936. Murray Mound and Henman Hill went crazy!
2014
Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscars selfie became the most retweeted picture ever and crashed Twitter in the process. The photo was retweeted over 750,000 times in its first 45 minutes. After one hour, it topped the previous record-holder for most retweets — a tweet from President Obama after winning the 2012 election.
Malala Yousafzai, at age 17, won the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest person to win. The Pakistani female education activist was awarded the honour for advocating for human rights and education for women and children.
The summer of 2014 saw the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge inspire millions worldwide to dump buckets of ice-cold water on their heads and donate to charity.
Enjoyed that trip down memory lane? Join us in part two for the next ten years…