4 Ways Tech Has Evolved Over the Years
Although technology has gradually developed throughout human history, the pace at which tech has evolved in the last 20 years has never been seen before. It's easy to take this progress for granted because technology is such a big part of our everyday lives, but take a second to think about it. As recently as the mid 1990's we were still watching VHS video and playing SEGA.
It seems like a different world. But how has technology really evolved over the years?
Smaller Processors
The tiny heart of the last two decades' worth of technological progress is the microprocessor. These are the computer chips that process all of the information our appliances and electronics need to work.
You've probably seen pictures of early computers. They were the size of fridges and you needed a whole lot of them just to do basic calculations. The revolution in the world of microprocessors means that all of our gadgets can perform more calculations more quickly. That means they can do more advanced things faster than ever before.
And because we're building smarter computers, we have smarter machines that make smaller and smaller micro processing chips. The development of the microchip is the reason why tech has evolved so much in a few short years. And it's set to keep going.
A Clearer World
Smaller processing chips mean that tech wizards can put more power behind the screens, speakers, and batteries that we've come to expect. The result is one of the biggest developments in tech over the last 20 years – HD display.
Television technology has moved very quickly in the last century or so. While the old tube models lasted the longest, plasma and LED screens soon came in and replaced them. More processing power means more pixels, more colors, and the ability to show in High Definition.
High Definition capability has not only set the world of entertainment alight, it has also dragged associated technology like cameras, computers, and cellphones with it. We've gone from grainy images beamed via bunny ear antennae to crystal clear, high-resolution visual experiences across a huge array of devices.
Everything Is Connected
It may seem impossible but there was a time before the Internet. Then, when the World Wide Web finally got off the ground, people across the world spent ages waiting for simple websites to load – as long as nobody wanted to use the connected phone line for an actual conversation.
Thankfully advances in technology and the growth of the Internet have seen the Internet change our lives. Not only is wireless access a reality thanks to Wi-Fi, gone are the days of twiddling our thumbs while a site loads a single image. Broadband means we have instant access to a world of information.
But arguably the biggest technological advance made on the back of the Internet boom is the Internet of Things. Thanks again to those amazing microprocessors we can now connect our phones, watches, and fitness trackers to the Internet, and to each other. In the not-too-distant future, that reach will extend to just about everything.
Total Integration
It's difficult to choose the biggest technological development over recent years. A lot of people will say that the rise of Apple has changed our lives for good with the iPod and the massive range of devices they produce. Others will argue that virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift are the first real jump of progress we've made in a while.
Although it is a subjective analysis it's tough to argue that the ability to integrate a range of devices is the biggest advancement in tech over recent years. It wasn't that long ago when a traveler would need a separate camera, GPS phone, laptop, and fleet of charging devices to document their trip. And don't forget the trusty Walkman if they wanted to pass the time on their travels.
Now, we have all of that and more in a single smartphone that fuses everything we need with some added extras.
As we keep inventing, creating and linking technology, there's no way of knowing where we'll end up. Arguing about the future of technology is a lot of fun and if the last few years are anything to go by, it's going to be amazing.
