How we communicate has changed a lot over time. From letters and telegraphs to telephones and emails, many of the major transformations in communication have occurred over the course of the 20th century. These transformations have made it easier to connect with people around the world.
The Computer
Computers have changed the way we communicate with each other in so many ways. Computers have made it faster and easier to connect with people. The internet has been around since the 1960s, but its potential did not begin to become realized until the 1990s when email and chat rooms allowed people to communicate with each other instantly. The internet revolutionized business communications because previously people had to wait for phone calls or faxes to reach each other. Computers have also made video chatting possible which is used for both business and social communications. Social media that dominates the internet today would never have existed without the widespread use of computers.
Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tape is an invention that transformed communications in the middle of the century. Digital audio magnetics was developed in Germany during the 1920s. Magnetic tape allowed for the recording of audio, and later video. It also allowed for the recording of radio programs, so events that played live on the radio could be replayed for the first time. Magnetic tape companies like Memorex were huge innovators in the field, making magnetic tape better and more portable over time. In addition, magnetic tape can be rerecorded, making it reusable. Magnetic tape made possible later forms of media storage, including CD-Roms, flash drives, and MP3s.
Cellular Phone
Arguably one of the most important inventions that have transformed the way we communicate is the cell phone. Cell phones first debuted in the 1970s. Digital cellular networks were created in the 1990s, which eventually allowed for their widespread use. Before cell phones, people were confined to using phones at homes or businesses. Now, you can use cell phones to instantly reach others through calls, texts, social media, video chatting, and more no matter where you are. Cell phones make it easy to stay in touch with people you don’t live near.
Technology has changed the way people communicate with each other globally. These advancements have made communicating with people so easy that we are able to send information to people instantly. 20th-century technological inventions have made a big impact on how we connect with people.
Read this next: What to Look for in a Short-Term Vacation Rental