The Digital Revolution began in the late 1950s and 1970s. It is the development of technology from the mechanical and analogical to digital. During this period, digital computers and digital preservation of documents have become the norm. The introduction of digital technology has also changed the way humans communicate, now through computers, mobile phones and the Internet. This revolution has led to the information age.
Historical development of digital technology
The 1947 invention of the revolutionary transistor is credited with seed sowing for the coming digital technology. By the 1950s and 1960s, many governments, military forces and other organizations were already using computers. Soon after, the computer was introduced for home use and by 1970, many families had computers for personal use. This happened around the same time that video games became popular, both for home systems and for arcade use. The infiltration of digital technology has also led to job creation. As companies moved to digital records, the need for employees to enter data increased. 1980 brought the production of film computers, robots to the industry and ATMs to the banks. With 1989, 15% of all households in the United States owned a computer. Analog cell phones made way for digital cell phones in 1991 and demand has soared. This was the same year that the Internet was made available to the public. By the end of the decade, the Internet was so popular that many companies had a website and almost every country in the world had a connection. When the 21st century began, cell phones were a common possession and high-definition television became the most common transmission method, replacing analogue television. With 2015, around 50% of the world had a constant Internet connection, and the number of smartphone owners and the ownership of tablets has almost surpassed those of home computers.
The digital revolution has also led to different inventions becoming obsolete. Some of these old-fashioned devices include analogue radios, faxes, VHS tapes, typewriters, mail-order correspondence (except for packages), telegrams and even landline phones to some extent.
Social impacts
Undoubtedly, the digital revolution has produced extensive social effects and widespread changes in lifestyle. It has increased and improved the ability to communicate and find important information. Furthermore, it has made globalization possible, which in turn has led to more effective and efficient business productivity. Unfortunately, many people believe that the digital revolution has reduced personal privacy, diluted professional journalism and made it more difficult to separate personal and professional life.
What the digital future holds
While some experts claim that the world has emerged from the digital revolution and the information age, others believe that the digital revolution has just begun. The argument behind this is that these digital advances are now changing the industrial sector. Areas such as three-dimensional (3D) printing and computer design are constantly contributing to science, particularly in the area of robot design. Some of these robots now work with humans and some organizations only work with robots! While it sounds like robots could replace humans in the near future, this technological advance has actually increased manufacturing output. With digital inventions, online sales have also become very common.
People are constantly buying from online retailers and this trend should continue to grow. The digital revolution has recently begun to have an impact also on the medical industry. This will be particularly important for genomic medicine, the use of genetic information for personalized treatment plans. One thing is certain, the digital revolution has changed human lives, bringing with it both positive and negative aspects. These changes are expected to continue to grow in the future. One thing is certain, the digital revolution has changed human lives, bringing with it both positive and negative aspects. These changes are expected to continue to grow in the future. One thing is certain, the digital revolution has changed human lives, bringing with it both positive and negative aspects. These changes are expected to continue to grow in the future.
