Development of Technology

The development of technology has been nothing short of remarkable, and its impact on our lives has been enormous. Over the past few decades, we have seen rapid advancements in technology that have revolutionized various aspects of our lives.

Let’s explore some facts and stats that highlight the incredible journey of technology development.

How Fast is Technology Advancing?

Technology has advanced at an incredible pace in the last few decades. The development of new technologies has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we work and live. With each passing year, we witness new breakthroughs that change the way we interact with the world.

• More than 4 billion people worldwide have access to the internet, representing almost 40% of the global population.
• Comparing these numbers with those from 1984, about 8% of American households had a personal computer at the time. Now, devices such as smartphones and tablets have become increasingly popular – there are currently 5 billion mobile device owners in the world and 2.65 billion actively use social media platforms.
• In the US, 1 out of every 5 people are heavily reliant on their smartphones for vital services and information.
• As mobile banking adoption rises, the number of jobs created is expected to reach 95 million.
• It is projected that by 2024, the number of voice assistants in use globally will reach 8.4 billion. Voice assistants are digital devices, such as smart speakers, that use natural language processing technology to recognize and respond to voice commands and queries. 
• Almost all internet users watch video content online at least once per month. Recent studies show that 92% of internet users watch online video content regularly.
• As of April 2022, there are over 1.16 billion websites available to explore on the internet. This incredible number demonstrates the vastness of the World Wide Web and how more and more individuals and businesses are using the internet to be more connected worldwide.
• In wake time, the average person dedicates 40% of their time online. This is equivalent to about 3-4 hours spent online daily. 
• More facts: 50+ Fun and Interesting Facts about Technology

The Evolution Of Technology Development

A timeline of technology development

Here’s a timeline of technology development, highlighting some of the most significant technological advancements.

• Pre-Industrial Age Technology
  Prehistoric humans invented the first tools about 2.5 million years ago, which included simple stone tools such as hand axes and choppers. Over time, humans developed more advanced stone tools like the arrowhead, which was used for hunting. Other prehistoric technological advancements include the wheel, which was first used in pottery making around 3500 BCE, and early forms of writing, which emerged in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• Industrial Age Technology
  Industrial Revolution began in the late 1700s and early 1800s in Great Britain, ushering in a period of technological advancement. The first industrial machines, such as the spinning jenny and the power loom, revolutionized textile production. The steam engine, invented by James Watt in 1765, was a key development that powered steam locomotives and steamships, transforming transportation. The telegraph, patented in 1837, revolutionized communication by allowing messages to be sent over long distances.
• 20th Century Technology
  The 20th century ushered in an era of groundbreaking technological advancements, such as television, integrated circuits, microwaves, telephones, antibiotics, and computers. These inventions, which would lay the foundation for even more advanced technologies in the 21st century, revolutionized communication, healthcare, and computing, providing a springboard for further innovation. The Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903 paved the way for the development of the airplane, which revolutionized travel. The first commercial radio broadcast took place in 1920, and television broadcasting began in the 1930s. The development of the transistor in 1947 paved the way for modern computing, leading to the creation of the first personal computer in 1975.
• 21st Century Technology
  The 21st century has seen continued technological advancement, with the proliferation of the internet, mobile devices, and social media. The internet has revolutionized communication and enabled the creation of new industries like e-commerce and social networking. The rise of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, has transformed the way people consume and share information. Advancements in robotics and 3D printing have also opened up new possibilities for manufacturing and construction. The 21st century has been marked by significant advancements in technology that have had a profound impact on the healthcare and renewable energy sectors.
  • Smart Devices
    The advancements in technology have made it possible for electronic devices to become more and more “smart” over the years. Smart devices are electronic devices that can connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and smart home devices. These devices have become increasingly prevalent in the 21st century and have revolutionized the way people live and work. Smart devices can be used to control home appliances, track fitness, and monitor health. They have also opened up new possibilities for remote work and online learning.
  • Artificial Intelligence
    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making. AI has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, with applications in fields like healthcare, finance, and transportation. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants have become ubiquitous, and self-driving cars are poised to revolutionize transportation. 
  • Quantum Computing
    Quantum computing is a revolutionary computing paradigm that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex computations at an unprecedented speed. Unlike classical computing, which relies on the binary digits (bits) of 0s and 1s, quantum computing uses quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for parallel processing and faster computations. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of fields, including cryptography, drug discovery, finance, and logistics.
  • Robotics
    Robotics technology has advanced significantly in recent years, leading to the development of sophisticated robots that can perform complex tasks with precision, speed, and efficiency. Robotics technology has several applications in industry, healthcare, defense, and education.

Top inventions in the history

From the invention of the internet to the development of artificial intelligence, the world has changed drastically in a relatively short amount of time. 

• 1436 – Printing Press
  The printing press is a mechanical device for printing text or images from type, blocks, or plates onto paper or other materials. It was invented in the mid-15th century by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany and is often considered one of the most important inventions in human history.
• 1698 – Steam Engine
  The steam engine was a key invention of the industrial revolution and is widely considered to have been invented by Thomas Savery and Thomas Newcomen in the early 18th century, with Savery’s engine patented in 1698. The steam engine was a revolutionary technology that converted the energy of steam into mechanical work. It was used to power machinery in factories and to drive locomotives and steamships.
• 1800 – Electricity
  While electricity was not invented by a single person, its discovery and harnessing changed the world. In 1800, Italian scientist Alessandro Volta made a groundbreaking discovery. He created the first electric cell by soaking paper in salt water and placing zinc and copper on opposite sides of the paper. When the two metals were connected, a chemical reaction occurred and generated an electric current. This was the first time an electric current was produced without the use of a generator.
• 1816 – Camera
  Modern cameras have seen considerable advancements over the years due to the creativity and hard work of numerous inventors. Joseph Nicephore Niepce’s invention of the camera in 1816 revolutionized the field we know today. His device, known as a “camera obscura,” was a box-like structure that allowed a person to take photographs. Niepce used a process called heliography to capture his photographs on a polished pewter plate coated with bitumen. This process involved exposing the plate to light and producing a photograph as a result.
• 1876 – Telephone
  Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the late 19th century, the telephone changed the way we communicate. It made it possible to talk to people across long distances and transformed the way we do business and stay in touch with loved ones.
• 1896 – Radio
  Guglielmo Marconi’s invention of the radio in 1896 had a great impact on communication and entertainment. His radio was the first of its kind to use electromagnetic waves to send and receive signals, giving people the power to talk to each other wirelessly from a distance.
• 1903 – Airplane
  The Wright Brothers, Wilbur, and Orville are credited with the first successful powered flight. Their invention revolutionized the way people travel, allowing for faster and more efficient transportation than ever before. Since then, traveling and transportation have become much easier, allowing people to travel across countries quickly and with ease.
• 1927 – Electronic Television
  Electronic TV was invented in 1927 by 21-year-old inventor Philo T. Farnsworth, who called it the image dissector. Prior to this invention, television was only able to be viewed through mechanical means, such as a spinning disk. With all-electronic TV, people could now watch television without the need for any mechanical components. This invention allowed for more accurate and detailed images to be transmitted and made it easier for people to watch television from the comfort of their own homes.
• 1957 – Augmented Reality
  Morton Heilig is credited with being the first to introduce the concept of augmented reality in 1957 when he created the Sensorama. This machine was designed to provide users with a more immersive experience by adding visuals, sounds, vibration, and even smell to their surroundings. This was the first time that anyone had used technology to enhance a person’s physical environment in this way.
• 1960s – Internet
  The internet has become a ubiquitous part of life since its development in the 1960s. It is a vast network of computers that enables people to connect and share information with each other. The invention of the internet cannot be attributed to a single person, as it has developed and grown over time. In the 1960s, the United States Department of Defense designed the ARPANET, which connected computers from all around the world using a network. This network provided the foundation for what would eventually become the internet. As the years went by, new features were added and the internet became more sophisticated. In 1989, these advancements culminated in the creation of the World Wide Web, a platform that revolutionized the way people communicated. This development enabled people to access information from all corners of the globe, meaning that the world had gotten significantly smaller and the internet was now commonplace.
• 1971 – Personal Computer
  The Kenbak-1, released in 1971, is considered to be the world’s first personal computer. It was designed and invented by John Blankenbaker of Kenbak Corporation and was the first of its kind to be sold commercially. The Computer History Museum recognizes it as a significant milestone in the history of computing, as it was the first computer to be designed for individual use.
• 1973 – Mobile Phone
  In 1973, Motorola revolutionized communications with the invention of the first mobile phone. This cutting-edge device was the first of its kind, providing users with the ability to make and receive calls while away from a base station. Weighing 2.5 pounds and measuring 9 inches long, it was much larger and more expensive than the handheld models that would come in later years. 
• 1974 – Barcode
  The concept of the barcode dates back to the 1940s and it took several decades for the technology to catch up with the idea. The barcode is a series of lines and spaces that can be read by a barcode scanner, allowing for fast and accurate identification of products. The invention of the barcode in 1974 by George J. Laurer revolutionized the way we track and manage products.
• 1978 – GPS
  Global Positioning System (GPS) technology was first developed and tested by the United States Department of Defense in 1960 under the name “Transit”. This system was initially used for military purposes, however, technological advancements have allowed the system to expand its use into commercial applications. In February 1978, the first satellite of the Navstar GPS was launched and the system continued to evolve throughout the 1990s. In 1999, GPS technology appeared in cell phones and later in automobiles. GPS has become an invaluable tool for navigation, both for personal and commercial use.
• 1983 – Personal Computer with GUI
  In 1983, the first commercially available personal computer with a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI) was introduced by Apple. Apple Lisa was praised for its technical accomplishments but ultimately considered a commercial failure. Despite this, it featured a number of advanced features that would later be seen on Macintosh and IBM PC-compatible computers. These features included a graphical user interface, a mouse, and protected memory.
• 1984 – CDROM
  In 1982, Japanese company Denon developed the CD-ROM, a type of computer storage technology. This was introduced to the public at a computer show in 1984 by Denon and Sony. CD-ROMs could hold up to 650 megabytes of data, which was a tremendous increase from the 1.44 megabytes of data that could be stored on a floppy disc at the time. This new storage format allowed for faster data transfer rates and better durability when compared to the floppy disc. CD-ROMs quickly became the preferred storage format for computers throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
• 1989 – World Wide Web
  In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, developed the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked, hypertext documents that can be accessed over the internet. It was designed to make it easier for people to share information across the globe. It has since become the primary way for people to access information and communicate with each other online.
• 1996 – USB
  In 1996, USB (Universal Serial Bus) was released, making the process much simpler. Developed by Ajay Butt from Intel in 1994, USB didn’t become widely used until 1998 when the first iMac was released as a USB-only machine. 
• 2019 – 5G
  5G is the latest generation of wireless networks designed to offer virtual connections to people, items, and even machines. In April 2019, areas of Chicago and Minneapolis became the first cities with access to 5G, allowing residents and visitors a new, faster, and more reliable connection. The impact of 5G technology is expected to be far-reaching, transforming the way we live, work, and communicate. It will enable new technologies like autonomous vehicles, virtual and augmented reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing for a more connected and efficient world.

Drivers of technological developments

We have seen the emergence of new technologies such as the internet, mobile phones, and social media, which have changed the way we communicate, work, and interact with one another. We have also seen the development of new medical treatments and technologies, which have improved the quality of life for many people. Advances in transportation and communication have made it easier for people to travel and stay connected with one another.

Drivers of these changes have been advances in science and technology, which have enabled us to create new products and services and to develop new ways of doing things.

• The increasing power of computers: Moore’s Law, named after Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, states that the number of transistors on a microchip will double every two years. This has led to a doubling of computing power every two years, and it has enabled the development of more powerful and sophisticated technologies. Today, computers are used in every aspect of our lives, from smartphones to self-driving cars, and they are constantly improving.
• The development of new materials: New materials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, have unique properties that make them ideal for a wide range of applications. For example, graphene is incredibly strong, lightweight, and conductive, which makes it ideal for use in electronic devices and batteries. Carbon nanotubes are also incredibly strong and lightweight, and they are being used to develop new materials for everything from sports equipment to aerospace applications.
• Advances in artificial intelligence: Machine learning algorithms are being used to analyze vast amounts of data, which is helping us to understand the world in new ways. For example, machine learning is being used to develop new medical treatments, predict weather patterns, and even understand the human brain.
• Increased connectivity: The internet and mobile networks have revolutionized the way we communicate and access information. With the advent of 5G networks, we can expect even faster and more reliable connectivity, which will enable new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and remote surgery.
• Innovations in energy production and storage: As we strive to move towards a more sustainable future, new technologies are being developed to produce and store energy more efficiently. For example, solar panels and wind turbines are becoming more affordable and efficient, and new battery technologies are being developed to store renewable energy for when it is needed.
• Advancements in robotics: Robots are becoming more sophisticated and capable of performing a wider range of tasks. From manufacturing and construction to healthcare and agriculture, robots are transforming the way we work and live.