TECHNOLOGY THROUGH TIMEBy Margaret Schnyer & Ashiespal Bharara Spring 2012

INTRODUCTION

Technology is an idea that a person thinks through and makes it “real.” Many inventions are created by scientists but, not all of them are. Technology has evolved over time and in this timeline you will see how.

THE ABACU

S

The abacus is a counting tool developed in 2400 B.C. It is important to our lives now because it probably inspired a whole range of modern calculators.

THE TELESCO

PE

The telescope was invented in 1608 by Hans Lippershey. The telescope helps us see our own solar system. This invention helps astronomers today by letting them study planets, stars, the moon, craters, asteroids and galaxies.

INCAN

DESCEN

T LIGH

T BULB

Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb to provide strong, even, safe light instead of dangerous oil lamps that could leak and candles that could start a house fire. This invention helps us today by giving buildings and homes strong light that is easy to turn on and off.

X-RAYS

In 1895, Roentgen discovered x-rays. X-rays helped doctors see the broken bones of a person or animal’s body. Dentists also use x-rays to look at teeth. This invention helps us today by letting doctors, dentists, and veterinarians see the insides of a person or animal without exploratory surgery.

THE PO

WERED

AIRPLANE

The function of the first airplane was to get a person off the ground and up in the air. The Wright brothers had been fascinated with flight for a long time. Their first flight was about four seconds long and one of them was strapped to the cross members of the plane. In a little over one hundred years we have gone from this to huge jets carrying hundreds of people at a time.

The first powered airplane.

An airplane today.

E-MAIL

E-mail or Electronic Mail is a way to send messages to another person fast. People value this invention today because they can chat or send important information to relatives, friends, or co-workers instantly.

WO

RLD-W

IDE W

EB

The world-wide web is an invention that lets users enjoy the computer by connecting to many websites all over the world. Prior to the World Wide Web the Internet was text only. Today, the Web is full of graphics, social networks, animations, entertainment, and web sites.

THE BRO

WSER

The browser is software that is the “gateway” to the WEB because it lets you access web sites on the WEB . You need the World-Wide Web to use a browser and you need the browser to access the World-Wide Web. This invention helps us today by letting users surf the web with browsers like Google, Yahoo, and Firefox.

WIN

DO

WS

Windows is an operating system. It got its name because it allows users to open more than one file or application at a time. Many people were waiting for this invention for years.

GO

OG

LE

Originally Google was a powerful search engine that was easy to use. This great invention now includes many more features including images, videos, G-mail, Google Chrome, news, shopping, and maps.

CONCLUSION

Technology has changed our society in good and bad ways. For example, in hospitals, doctors have helped patients survive with advanced technological discoveries. Many adults talk or text on their phone while ignoring their kids. (And that is definitely bad!) In the future, kids will probably turn out like their parents unless the parents start paying more attention to their kids instead of their cell phones.And, if scientific discoveries are advanced now, imagine what will happen in the future!