Beatlemania was traveling round the planet in 1964, hitting America in a tidal wave, but the sign of times in Tokyo were the new space age technologies. The NASA - Hughes Sincon III satellite was, for the first time, bringing live real-time visions of the opening ceremony, and other events, to homes all around the world. Old fashioned cinders were replaced by the high-tech tartan surface for track events.
Japan's lived up to its reputation for state-of-the-art electronics. Television audiences enjoyed slow-motion replays. Gymnastics and diving scores were computerized, and photography was now predominantly printed in color.
The growing American civil-right's movement found inspiration in their nation's Olympic team, as African-American Bob Hayes established himself as the world's fastest man, and Native-American Billy Mills became the only American to win the 10,000m race.