The world we live in changes continuously. New discoveries and accomplishments reposition our beliefs about what impossibilities still exist. This path of growth and evolution dates as far back as we can remember and includes many moments and inventions of varying magnitudes which brought about change and development. Advancements in science and technology have led to the achievements that have reshaped how we do things.
Where would we be today had it not been for these important moments in history? Imagine life without some of our favourite gadgets. For many, some events and inventions have far greater impact than others; however, each discovery and accomplishment has an immense historical value, shaping the world as we know it. While we can’t discuss them all, let’s explore a few examples of technology that changed the world.
An invention with quite the impressive rap sheet of development is the radio. From home stereos to car systems to large sets used for big events, radios provide an enhanced entertainment and lifestyle experience to the convenience of its audience. We have heard the stories about radio in the time of our fore parents but the radio has evolved into the gadget which now includes Bluetooth technology, surround sound systems, voice control capabilities and multi-disc music displays.
We’ve come a long way from simple transmissions to full-fledged entertainment display. Radios now come in all shapes and sizes. Even phones and watches have quite an impressive built-in radio feature, bringing new life to this form of technology.
Like the radio, the evolution of the television (TV) since its successful creation in 1927 has seen quite some development over time.
Transitioning from black and white to colour imaging, this gadget holds its own in the 21st century with smart device capabilities for your convenient viewing pleasure. It’s no longer just about watching what is broadcast on the TV; we’ve progressed from connecting DVD players for movie viewing to connecting our phones and tablets via Bluetooth technology and now being able to have all our favourite social, gaming and entertainment applications (apps) preinstalled and accessible on our SMART TVs. With current split screen viewing and recording options, we can only imagine what’s in store for the next 10 years.
On a different note, people of the 90s were very interactive and engaged in the real world. Social media has created a paradigm shift in the way people build relationships and interact with each other. People have become increasingly attached to their devices and less engaged in reality; becoming more concerned about social media lifestyles than enjoying the company of friends and their environment. Gone are the days when people really engaged in interpersonal conversations to become acquainted. Most communication now takes place in the virtual realm of social media which has increased the occurrence of cat fishing and cyber bullying. Social media isn’t all bad though. It has created a global network, connecting people all around the world and making it easier to stay in touch with friends and family and sharing information with a wide array of persons. Businesses, celebrities and even world leaders utilise social media because of its global impact and wide audience reach. Social media has improved the pace and frequency of accessing information, requiring more responsibility on our part- we simply can’t believe everything we see or read.
Transportation has also been quite a world changing phenomenon. Land travel has facilitated the movement from one location to the other in far less time than our feet could cover. Fast forward to the time of highways. Which Jamaican doesn’t marvel at the reduction in travel time between the north and south coasts, or between Kingston and Manchester? All thanks to modernised road networks, albeit the dent in our pockets (collateral damage, some may say).
When it comes to transportation though, the discovery of flight in 1903 stands out as a noteworthy invention. Removing the restrictions of land and decreasing the time it takes to travel great distances, air transportation has created the opportunity for persons to travel across continents in a shorter time span than if they were to travel via sea or land. From aeroplanes to helicopters, to everything in between, air transportation has created a level of global connectivity and access that excites many and sparks a spirit of adventure and discovery.
Speaking of discovery, the Global Positioning System (GPS), has certainly changed the way we interact with the world. Gone are the days when the sun and stars or compasses were used to calculate directions or even when physical maps were read; GPS has made it easy for persons to move between locations, locally and globally. GPS utilises a network of 24 satellites transmitting signals to receivers on earth to provide information on one’s exact location. With its integration into almost every functional transportation equipment and smart device, persons can relax and be guided by voice technology along the best and fastest routes to their preferred destinations. Speak about convenience!
The internet or World Wide Web is another platform that has made life much easier than in previous generations. Everything can be found there- and I mean everything. The internet has created a central hub for the quick access to and sharing of information in a vast and dynamic sphere. It has revolutionised our access to movies, music, documentaries, and information as well as applications of varying kinds; becoming so essential to everyday living that most technological creations utilise it for optimal functionality. Include wireless technology or WIFI and internet technology shoots through the roof (literally).
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #10, 2017 Issue.
Share this post:
The world we live in changes continuously. New discoveries and accomplishments reposition our beliefs about what impossibilities still exist. This path of growth and evolution dates as far back as we can remember and includes many moments and inventions of varying magnitudes which brought about change and development. Advancements in science and technology have led to the achievements that have reshaped how we do things.
Where would we be today had it not been for these important moments in history? Imagine life without some of our favourite gadgets. For many, some events and inventions have far greater impact than others; however, each discovery and accomplishment has an immense historical value, shaping the world as we know it. While we can’t discuss them all, let’s explore a few examples of technology that changed the world.
An invention with quite the impressive rap sheet of development is the radio. From home stereos to car systems to large sets used for big events, radios provide an enhanced entertainment and lifestyle experience to the convenience of its audience. We have heard the stories about radio in the time of our fore parents but the radio has evolved into the gadget which now includes Bluetooth technology, surround sound systems, voice control capabilities and multi-disc music displays.
We’ve come a long way from simple transmissions to full-fledged entertainment display. Radios now come in all shapes and sizes. Even phones and watches have quite an impressive built-in radio feature, bringing new life to this form of technology.
Like the radio, the evolution of the television (TV) since its successful creation in 1927 has seen quite some development over time.
Transitioning from black and white to colour imaging, this gadget holds its own in the 21st century with smart device capabilities for your convenient viewing pleasure. It’s no longer just about watching what is broadcast on the TV; we’ve progressed from connecting DVD players for movie viewing to connecting our phones and tablets via Bluetooth technology and now being able to have all our favourite social, gaming and entertainment applications (apps) preinstalled and accessible on our SMART TVs. With current split screen viewing and recording options, we can only imagine what’s in store for the next 10 years.
On a different note, people of the 90s were very interactive and engaged in the real world. Social media has created a paradigm shift in the way people build relationships and interact with each other. People have become increasingly attached to their devices and less engaged in reality; becoming more concerned about social media lifestyles than enjoying the company of friends and their environment. Gone are the days when people really engaged in interpersonal conversations to become acquainted. Most communication now takes place in the virtual realm of social media which has increased the occurrence of cat fishing and cyber bullying. Social media isn’t all bad though. It has created a global network, connecting people all around the world and making it easier to stay in touch with friends and family and sharing information with a wide array of persons. Businesses, celebrities and even world leaders utilise social media because of its global impact and wide audience reach. Social media has improved the pace and frequency of accessing information, requiring more responsibility on our part- we simply can’t believe everything we see or read.
Transportation has also been quite a world changing phenomenon. Land travel has facilitated the movement from one location to the other in far less time than our feet could cover. Fast forward to the time of highways. Which Jamaican doesn’t marvel at the reduction in travel time between the north and south coasts, or between Kingston and Manchester? All thanks to modernised road networks, albeit the dent in our pockets (collateral damage, some may say).
When it comes to transportation though, the discovery of flight in 1903 stands out as a noteworthy invention. Removing the restrictions of land and decreasing the time it takes to travel great distances, air transportation has created the opportunity for persons to travel across continents in a shorter time span than if they were to travel via sea or land. From aeroplanes to helicopters, to everything in between, air transportation has created a level of global connectivity and access that excites many and sparks a spirit of adventure and discovery.
Speaking of discovery, the Global Positioning System (GPS), has certainly changed the way we interact with the world. Gone are the days when the sun and stars or compasses were used to calculate directions or even when physical maps were read; GPS has made it easy for persons to move between locations, locally and globally. GPS utilises a network of 24 satellites transmitting signals to receivers on earth to provide information on one’s exact location. With its integration into almost every functional transportation equipment and smart device, persons can relax and be guided by voice technology along the best and fastest routes to their preferred destinations. Speak about convenience!
The internet or World Wide Web is another platform that has made life much easier than in previous generations. Everything can be found there- and I mean everything. The internet has created a central hub for the quick access to and sharing of information in a vast and dynamic sphere. It has revolutionised our access to movies, music, documentaries, and information as well as applications of varying kinds; becoming so essential to everyday living that most technological creations utilise it for optimal functionality. Include wireless technology or WIFI and internet technology shoots through the roof (literally).
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #10, 2017 Issue.
Share this post: