The History of Communication

Communication is the ability to share information. The history of communication dates back to prehistory, with significant changes in communication technologies evolving. Communication can range from very subtle processes of exchange, to full conversations.

Early Communications

Cave drawings were murals that people painted onto the walls of caves and canyons to tell the story of their culture. The Egyptians created a picture language called hieroglyphics. Storytelling was used to tell stories, both fiction and nonfiction, before there were books. It was a way for families and communities to pass on information about their past. Drums were one way to send signals to neighboring tribes and groups. The sound of the drumming patterns would tell them of concerns and events they needed to know. Smoke signals were another way to send messages to people who are not in speaking distance.

26th century BC Sumerian cuneiform script in Sumerian language. One of the earliest examples of human writing.

105 A.D. 1858

Chinese began using paper and ink. Asia used Block Printing. Mexico began using the first printing press in the Western Hemisphere. The first press in the American Colonies was established in Cambridge, Mass. The first comprehensive dictionary was published by Noah Webster. Samuel Morse transmitted the first public telegraph message. The first Transatlantic cable was laid.

A sketch of the first printing press

Industrial Revolution Era and Golden Ages of Radio, TV, and Movies (1876 to early 1900s)

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Thomas Edison invents the phonograph. The Jazz Singer, first talkie Walt Disney produces the first animated feature [Snow White] . Black-and-white television becomes part of the average American home. Invention of Radio

1930s
FM Broadcasting : They created it so people have a bigger range of stations they can listen to. Emerson Radio Turnstile Atenna : George Brown was the inventor of the antenna. They used it in TVs and radios.

1940s
Transistor: semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electrical power. Vinyl Records

1950s

Satellites : The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a basketball, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. Transistor Radio : The transistor radio was useful because it was pocket sized, and you could listen to music anywhere. Integrated Circuit : The integrated circuit placed the previously separated transistors, resistors, capacitors and all the connecting wiring onto a single crystal.

Thomas Edisons Phonograph

1960s: Cold War Decade

Stereo recordings and playback equipment is introduced. Audiocassettes are introduced. Spacewar, the first computer video game invented. The first handheld calculator invented. Rise of FM radio.

1970s
The Personal Computer The Cellular Mobile Phone The Cassette Tapes

1980s: Cable Television Decade

Color television replaces black-andwhite in American homes. Fiber-optic cable. First online newspaper. CDs are introduced. Television began to be broadcast in Stereo. Microsoft Windows is launched.

First colored television

1990s: Digital Decade

Rise of talk radio. Microsoft Internet Explorer is launched. Web expands online news and information. First news blogs are introduced. High Definition TV standards agreed on in the U.S.

2000: Age of Media Convergence

Rise of cell phone use and cellular technology. Satellite radio is launched. Camera phones are first introduced in the U.S. market. Facebook was launched in 2004 Youtube was invented in 2006 iPhone launches. Microsoft launches Windows 7 to replace criticized Windows Vista.

The evolution of the cell phone

Present Day
4G technology Computers iPods & iPads Smartphones Solar and geothermic technology

Apple Products iPhone, iPod & iPad

Part 2

Texting by Thinking
In addition to 5G, phones could be available with the option of texting by thought power alone. This is achieved by a combination of eye-tracking technology and a sensor-mounted headset worn by the user. The headset contains a brain-machine interface which detects electrical brain waves and converts them into digital signals, then displays the resulting letters on-screen. The process is rather slow at this stage, requiring a high degree of mental concentration. It is more of a novelty for now. However, advances in the coming years will enable smooth and fast interactions, revolutionising the world of communication.

The 5G standard will be released

By 2020, the next major cellular wireless standard will be 5G. The user can simultaneously be connected to several wireless access technologies and seamlessly move between them. Multiple data transfer paths can be easily handled. High bit rates are now available in a larger portion of the cell, especially to users in an exposed location in between several places. High-altitude stratospheric platform stations, which will deliver high-speed Internet service to very large geographical areas. Offering greater levels of user interaction and personalisation. One unified global standard with full compatibility, no matter what brand or model.

Traditional microchips will reach the limits of miniaturization

Companies are reaching the limits of miniaturization for computer chips. The closest to the size of individual atoms. Silicon is impossible to scale below this size, due to the effects of quantum tunneling.