How Has Technology Changed from the Past to the Present?

From computers to smartphones, most of us interact with technology in our daily lives to varying degrees. But how has technology changed from the past to the present? Technology has influenced many parts of life over time. The way we lived in the past and how we live now is significantly different, thanks to technological advancements. Changes in technology have an impact on how we work, travel, communicate, and play.

For example, the internet allows us to access information at any time and from any location. We can do our shopping and banking online thanks to connectivity. We can communicate with friends and family in real-time from anywhere on the planet.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how technology has changed from the past to the present and cover some of the most influential technological developments.

The History Of The Workplace

Before we delve into the timeline of technology and how it evolved over the years, let’s first consider the history of the workplace.

For as long as mankind can remember, humans have always been working. Today men and women alike are to work in any job without the government or society holding them back, but this was not always possible.

Stereotypical gender roles whereby the woman stays at home to cook, clean and raise children whilst the man went to work were considered the norm before the 18th century. Evidently, things have changed since then. With the feminist movement of the 1960s women began to enter the workforce in great numbers, marking a significant moment in history. 

What Are The Eras Of Technology?

1960s

Technology, just like gender equality, has also come a long way since then. Back in the 1960s, the most advanced technologies used in the workplace were the typewriter, telephone and the first computer mouse.

Things like copper wires, LEDs, optic fibers, tin were discovered which drastically increased the efficiency for a much larger framework. This then opened the floodgates that led to the next discovery and the one after that and so on. 

1970s 

During the 70s, floppy discs and fax machines had been invented. Computers began to find their way into the workplace with a standard one only having a basic word processor, as well as the first-ever spreadsheet.

In fact, the birth of modern computing was in the 1970s and the world’s first general microprocessor, the Intel 4004, came out in November 1971. It was also in this area when fiber optics came into play to transmit sound and image data. 

1980s

It was during the 1980s that technology really began to take off. The computer started to gain popularity in the workplace, which marked the beginning of a new technological era changing the workplace forever. There was the invention of the world wide web and the birth of Microsoft Office. 

There were also some historical tech moments that happened in the 80s including the market launch of the first mobile phone, and the registration of the first-ever ‘.com’ business.  

1990s

Technology really raced forward after this, with office design in the 1990s becoming more utilitarian and functional in contrast to the 80s. The improvements in connectivity and the creation of the internet meant a computer went from being a luxury item to an essential item for almost every employee.

Many gadgets and electronic devices were born in the 90s too including the iconic Walkman, Discman and MP3 players. 

2000s

The 2000s were a time of evolution and revolution in the way people worked. Technology and high-speed connectivity became very prevalent in society, and mobile phones began to be mass-produced.

Many new applications such as Skype, Google and MySpace started to gain popularity as connecting with people over the internet became the new normal. 

What Was The First Digital Technology?

The first telephone call was in 1876 and was carried out by Alexander Graham Bell. Although this was a huge historical advancement, it was not digital. The first digital technology wasn’t invented until nearly 100 years later. 

It’s not as simple to answer the question ‘when was the first computer’ made’ due to the classifications of the different types of computers. But in 1822, Charles Babbage conceptualized and began developing the Difference Engine which is considered to be the first automatic computing engine that was capable of computing several sets of numbers and making hard copies of the results.

The first modern was created between 1936 and 1938 by a German man named Konrad Zuse and it is thought to be the first electro-mechanical binary programmable computer. 

It was then in 1951 that the first commercially available computer was released. It was designed for simple arithmetic and data handling and was very large and bulky compared to computers today.

What Technology Has Changed The World The Most?

Technology has come a really long way, especially over the past 25 years. During this time period there have been countless discoveries, breakthroughs and inventions. Some of these have led to the making of ground-breaking products and services, whilst others seemed relevant for a while then their popularity fizzled out. 

Here is a look at some of the technology that has really made an impact and changed the way the world works the most.

WiFi 

In 2021, a standard degree of connectivity is expected no matter where you are. From supermarkets to coffee shops, WiFi maintains our productivity, our organization, and our health. 

We rely on WiFi and internet connections for so many daily tasks, which sometimes we may not even notice. From reading the news to checking the weather to even taking a picture, our gadgets and smartphones require access to wifi to function. 

When Was WiFi Invented And How Does It Work?

Simply speaking, WiFi was invented in 1997 and uses electromagnetic waves to communicate data between a transmitter and a device at two main frequencies: 2.4Ghz (802.11b) and 5Ghz (802.11a). 

Once a transmitter receives data from the internet, it converts the data into a radio signal that can be received and read by WiFi-enabled devices. 

Internet Of Things

The internet of things is a relatively new term that has made its way into the technology vocabulary. It essentially refers to any physical objects that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies, which connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet. 

Today, there are tens of billions of internet-connected devices around the globe which all make up part of the internet of things. From apps on our phones that can turn our heating on and off, to being able to check who is at the front door in seconds, the internet really has simplified our lives in many ways. 

Bluetooth 

Another wireless communication technology that has proven indispensable over the last 20 years since its creation, Bluetooth is the key that unlocked many new technological advances. 

It was originally invented to connect mobiles to a hands-free headset, to allow people to continue conversations whilst keeping their hands available for other uses. After the realisation of just how useful Bluetooth is, it was implemented in countless new technologies. 

From linking earbuds to phones or keyboards to computers, the power of Bluetooth allows completely different electronic devices to easily communicate with each other.

Bitcoin 

Bitcoin is the digital cryptocurrency that has only come into the spotlight within the last 10 years. It is a decentralised form of currency which means that no central bank, government, or authority can control or regulate it. 

Compared to the other technological discoveries in this list, Bitcoin is very new. And this brand new technology has already illustrated its ability to fundamentally disrupt the global financial system, which means it is not going away any time soon. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence is slowly, but surely, becoming one of the most influential technological discoveries of all time. It can be applied in so many different sectors and fields across the world and is helping to create solutions and overcome some of the biggest problems faced today. 

The number of devices that AI (artificial intelligence) plays a part in may surprise you, from being the brains behind facial recognition to solving transposition issues to even analysing movies and creating a recommended list just for you. 

Social Media 

The uprising of social media happened very quickly, leaving very few people in today’s world without an account on one of the social media sites. 

When a business can use social media to connect with its audience, it can use social media to generate brand awareness, leads, sales, and revenue. Similarly for personal use, creating an account and adding your friends and family can help you to stay connected and reach out to people so effortlessly. 

What Are The Benefits Of Technology To Society?

Recapping the ways in which technology has had the biggest impact on the world can really make you think – what is the benefit of technology to society? 

Considering the new technological developments and advancements over the last few decades which have resulted in the 21st century being known as the era of science and technology, it is no secret just how far we’ve come.

That’s why technology plays such an important role in society today. It has positive and negative effects on the world, determines how people interact with each other on a daily basis and impacts daily lives.

If we all took a moment out of our busy lives to think, we’ll start to see the roles and benefits that technology has played in improving human life including: 

Easing access to information

The saying ‘the world at your fingertips’ can be taken quite literally here. Browser searches, such as Google or Yahoo, can provide you with any information you need, night or day.

This easy access to information has transformed the way the world works right before our eyes. Information from all around the globe is widely available on the internet and news sites are much more straightforward to access. 

Better communication 

Many centuries ago, the only way to communicate with others was either by meeting face to face, or writing a letter and having it delivered (which took weeks, if not months to arrive). 

Slowly this started to change with the advancements in technology. The increase of electronic networking helped to remove the time and distance as ways of slowing down communication. This has been beneficial to many parts of society, including business, education and international, and even personal relationships.

Today, instant messaging and the immediate sharing of photos and videos with a simple click of a button keeps everyone friends, family and even your boss connected at all times. 

Increased productivity 

Technology allows for remote working which has shown to increase employee productivity. This is beneficial for businesses as well as the economy because people are able to work from anywhere and contribute their ideas and options without physically having to be there. 

Proper time management is also another way of increasing productivity. Using an online calendar which all your employees have access to ensures that no one misses a meeting or an important deadline. Applications are available which allow you to plot tasks and complete these within their designated timelines (setting reminders can also help keep you on track and develop good habits). 

Furthermore, technology automates and systematizes workflows and processes which in turn allows you and your employees to focus on core business tasks and revenue-generating activities.

Saving time and money 

One of the main goals of the increase in technological devices includes making things cheaper and more affordable for people. This can be seen by the varying price points of similar tech items on the market today. 

More often than not, competition takes place between two or more industries which results in even lesser prices. This is a great benefit to society because it means that everyone can access the advanced tools they need.

Another way that technology saves time and money is by making businesses paperless. It is much easier to search through electronic records for the information that you need, and also means you won’t have to spend as much money on office supplies, filing systems, paper and ink.

Cloud-based services make it much easier to store important electronic documents and files, and workers can collaborate more readily on projects when using the cloud for storage. 

What Are The Negatives Of Technology?

As with anything in this world, technology also has its downsides. In comparison with the benefits that technology has given us, the cons are definitely a much shorter list, but it is still important to discuss these factors too. 

Global Impacts 

Depletion of resources

One of the most concerning issues associated with the increasing use of technologies is the depletion of natural resources, whether that be rare earth elements/minerals, food sources, or fossil fuels.

Many of the earth’s natural resources are having to be exploited to meet the ever-growing demands of technological advancements. Rare elements such as gold, coltan and tantalum are commonly used in modern gadgets, including smart phones, which have caused many feuds between countries. 

Air and water pollution 

It is also no secret how much global warming is impacting climate change. The burning of fossil fuels massively increases the amount of damaging gases sent up into the atmosphere which is only worsening the global climate situation.

Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and methane are introduced into the earth’s atmosphere. The sad truth is that the main sources of pollution all relate back to technologies which emerged following the industrial revolution. 

This pollution then gets reintroduced back into our oceans and water systems when it rains, or by human activity. Some of the most common water pollutants are domestic waste, industrial effluents and insecticides and pesticides.

Physical Impacts 

Eye strain 

Sitting in front of a computer or laptop all day for work, or browsing through social media for too long, will inevitably have an effect on our eyes.

You can tell if you have eyestain by analysing your symptoms which can include blurred vision and dry eyes. This may also lead to pains in other areas of the body, such as the head, neck, or shoulders.

Taking regular breaks away from the screen to rest your eyes can reduce the chances of suffering from eye strain. 

Sleep problems 

Our mobile phones, tablets and laptops all contain blue light which stimulates our brains. Being exposed to too much blue light late at night, or before we go to bed, can negatively impact our sleep pattern. This can make it much longer to fall asleep as well as disturbing the body’s natural circadian rhythm. 

To avoid this, it’s best to avoid using any technological devices 1-2 hours before going to sleep. You can try reading a book or taking a bath as a way of unwinding after a long day instead of scrolling through the news. 

Poor posture 

Many technological devices require a “down and forward” position to use them, meaning the person is hunched forward and looking down at the screen. This can put an unnecessary amount of pressure on the neck and spine and cause posture and back problems in the long-term. 

You can prevent this from happening by investing in good quality furniture that provides support to your back. Taking short breaks, such as walking around the office every hour, may also help keep the muscles loose and avoid tension and incorrect posture.

Technology In The Present Day

During the present day, technology makes up such a vital part of our lives that sits hard to imagine what the world looked like before. There are so many different types of technologies used within today’s world across a variety of sectors. 

Healthcare 

Technology has brought a huge, and quite frankly needed, change to the way healthcare works. From administration to surgery, technology has truly revolutionised the healthcare industry as a whole. 

Patients now have access to some of the best diagnostic tools, and doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are all equipped with the latest technology to treat them. This means that it is possible for patients to get in touch with specialists in practically any part of the world for consultations and second opinions, regardless of where they themselves are located.

Finance 

Financial and banking services use a wide range of different technologies to improve customer service and provide state of the art services. This has been shown by the increased number of people turning to online and mobile banking, and the decrease in the number of people actually visiting a banking branch. 

Exponential growth in information technology has created opportunities for companies to leverage digitisation of their banking technology to transform the financial services industry through better customer experience management. 

This can be done by using blockchain technology, for example, to facilitate transactions and  combine them with the speed and cost benefits.

Agriculture 

The process of farming goes back a very, very long way as it is one the primary methods of getting food for nourishment. Nowadays technology is helping farmers to improve their quality of life by increasing their revenue. 

Farming methods are increasingly becoming more refined, less manual, with yields significantly increasing. By precise forecasting, data-driven decision making and the use of GPS farmers are able to operate their land at maximum efficiency. 

Before technology played a part, each farm and piece of land was designated to a certain animal or crop but today it is not uncommon to find beef poultry, beef cattle, and dairy cows on the same farm.

Smart farming techniques allow farmers to monitor the individual needs of their animals better and regulate their nutrition correspondingly, thereby averting disease and improving their health.

Technology Of The Future

The future of technology was, and still remains, unknown. The jump that was made in the last decade, let alone the last century, has been so big to the point where nobody expected it. Workplaces of all kinds have drastically improved the way that they work and people have become more connected than ever. 

Although it’s impossible to know exactly what will be invented in the future, there are some predictions. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Some parts in the future of technology will simply expand on discoveries already made. An example of this is artificial intelligence. Right now, artificial intelligence is an extremely important part of many sectors such as: 

• Transportation: Self-driving cars are being tested out and perfected. 
• Manufacturing: Robots assist with assembly and stacking, and predictive analysis sensors keep equipment running smoothly. 
• Education: Virtual tutors can assist teachers to better tailor the experience to students individual needs.
• Advertising: Algorithms track your movement online to better customise adverts based on your searched history. 

These advances in artificial intelligence technology are just the beginning, and it is expected that the future holds so much more in store. From healthcare and medicines tailored to your exact genome, to even stronger cybersecurity, the future of AI is exciting. 

Space Tourism 

Whilst some technologies continue to build up on information that we do know, others such as space tourism are completely new. As time goes by the concept of being able to buy a seat that will take you up into space orbit and back down again is edging more and more towards a reality. 

A trip is being planned by Axiom Space for 2022 which will go up into space and orbit the earth before seeing the international space station. These trips do come at a cost and depending on which company you choose will put you back between £250,000 and £55 million. And even though these figures may seem ridiculous for some, the experience of viewing the Earth from space may prove to be priceless for a whole new generation of space explorers.

Big Data 

Around a decade ago, the amount of data began to increase expostentailly without showing any signs of stopping. This is still true to this day, with the majority of big data consisting of web browser searches, text messages, social networks and media files. 

The amount of big data is only predicted to increase as it is expected that 75% of the world’s population will be interacting with online data every day by 2025. 

Such large datasets are challenging to work with in terms of their storage and processing, which predicts a high demand for data scientists within the near future.