The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Unless you’re 10 years old or younger, you’ve witnessed a monumental change in the way we communicate with others. Between video calls, social media, tablets and smartphones, our methods of communication have undergone a cataclysmic change in recent years. Major advancements in communication used to happen rarely, but now we’ve experienced many of them within the past decade.
As tech advances at warp speed before our eyes, we can quickly take for granted our ability to communicate instantly, for free, with nearly anyone around the world. No longer are we running up huge phone bills to talk to loved ones 100 miles away. Now we can have video chats with a dozen people across the globe at once without spending a penny.
But it wasn’t so long ago that we were paying for postage stamps to send letters that took days to reach their destination. Fairly recently we marveled at fax machines that could spit out a printed page in about a minute.
This interactive graphic takes us on an amazing journey to show us the evolution of communication, reminding us not only how far we’ve come, but also the exponential pace of the advancements in technology we are now experiencing:
I encourage you to visit the full version on the Comms Express website to enjoy the complete interactive experience. Be advised though that the sound at the website is on auto-play. If you’re in a place where noise might be embarrassing, such as an office, classroom or operating room, be sure to use headphones or mute your speakers.
Your Thoughts
Did you enjoy taking this trip down Tech Memory Lane? Do you remember the days when we used fax machines and typewriters? When was the last time you used a postage stamp to mail a letter? What changes in communication do you think have been the most significant in your lifetime? Let us know in the Comments section below!
*********************************
A Tribute to My Brother
My brother, Rob Nicander, passed away unexpectedly last week leaving behind many friends and family members who loved him dearly. Rob sparked my interest in tech and helped me learn and discover awesome tech for my everyday life.
He taught me to use the Internet back the days when you had to code to surf the Web. He was by my side when I bought my first computer, then opened it up to show me its innards so I could truly understand my new toy. He introduced me to GPS devices and DVR’s, helping me to earn my title of polygadgetist early this century.
In January of 2011 I told Rob that I wanted to start a tech blog. He was adamantly against the idea, concerned that spammers would be cruel and heartless in their critiques. He didn’t understand why I would want to subject myself to an onslaught of negative comments from strangers.
Thank you, dear Readers, for proving Rob wrong. Negative comments here are rarer than a BlackBerry phone in an Apple store. You have been supportive, respectful and generous with sharing your thoughts in The Wonder of Tech Comments section, on social media and in emails.
Rob was happy to be wrong and became a big fan of this blog, often discussing my articles and asking for my advice on tech. He would excitedly share with me gadgets, apps and deals he found so I could share them with you.
I miss him deeply.
**********************************
Evolution of Communication interactive graphic used with permission of Comms Express.
All other images in this article are used via Flickr and Creative Commons.
Sunset image (edited) by Mohamed Ahsan
Collage images:
Typewriter image by Takashi Hososhima
Horse and Cart by James Morley
Slideshow image by James Vaughan
Social Media Conversation (edited) by Khalid Albaih
iPhone by Marc Flores
Google Glass (edited) by Giuseppe Costantino
Video chat by Alec Couros
Hi Carolyn,
My deepest condolence at the loss of your brother…I read about it on your Facebook status – such losses can never be filled. I miss my Mom to date, but I know she’s with me always, and similarly Rob will always be with you – more so through the love you both shared for tech and this blog…God Bless him and give courage to you and your family.
Coming to the post, the interactive graphic was wonderful and something nice and different. My aunt still uses the morse code language and some of the places do have the telegrams and old kind of phones still functioning. I guess they prefer living in the same old era, being from that era as not all can adjust to the latest tech advancements.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a blessed weekend 🙂
Hi Harleena, Thank you for your warm words of condolence, both here and on Facebook.
Wow, that’s amazing your aunt still uses Morse Code, does she do that in her job?
You’re right, not everyone has adopted new means of communication. So long as we can still communicate, it probably doesn’t matter much how we do it. But I do like that means of communication continue to get faster and less expensive!
Hi Carolyn,
No, not her job. In fact my maternal grandfather used to use it so gave it to her (his daughter), and she uses it as a hobby and has connected with some amazing International friends who still use it. I love to see her use it so efficiently to date 🙂
That’s true…have a lovely weekend 🙂
Very, very cool, Harleena! She really is inspirational, still using Morse Code these days.
Hi Carolyn,
I remember a lot of early tech. I think I have a world war 2 morse code tapper somewhere! I had a Remington typewriter. I once worked in an underground telephone exchange that was in case of nuclear war. My childhood was spent reading books in the public library as semi conductors were being developed. When the first microchips came out I was experimenting with them. I remember NAND gates that were six inches square, 10 years later I could get 4 of them on a tiny chip 1/4 inch long. I’ve connected thermionic valves to make all sorts of circuits. I worked on the UK radio service for a while too, listening into police, fire and ambulance broadcasts. I have lots of stories to tell about that! There was the citizen’s band radio era. The home computer era, with Commodore computers loading programs from cassette tapes and around the same time we had video games like space invaders in the pub!
Now it’s a bit boring by comparison. I helped a couple of students in Hong Kong using Skype the other day. I write blogs and have a DSLR that would have been unheard of a few years ago. I’ve just joined a group of bloggers writing for a newspaper with 200,000 readers. My next tech experience will be buying a tablet computer to show people my photos. I haven’t tried out a smart watch yet, but give it time! 🙂
Hi Mike, Lol, “give it time.” Very funny!
Wow, it sounds as if you really have experienced a lot of tech throughout the years! The UK is rich with tech, Bletchley Park was one of my favorite destinations when I lived there.
Yes, a tablet would be a wonderful gadget for you to have and display your beautiful photography. You could have your entire collection at the ready wherever you go!
It was nice taking the trip. Yes we have come a long way. They left out Smoke signals and African Tom Tom’s but thats OK 🙂
I am sorry to hear about your loss. He must have been a very special person.
Don’t worry he’s probably got better communication now and wearing a big smile on his face.
All the best.
Nick
Hello Nick, Good point about the smoke signals and drums. Amazing how many ways humans have learned to communicate over the years!
Thank you for your kind words, Rob was a very special person. Yes, I do think of him that way, smiling and at peace now.
I remember the analog phone, the beeper, the big cellular phones but I don’t miss dial-up internet. It’s funny how fast things change but being personal is still the best way to communicate from one hill to another.
Hi Matt, Yes, the full experience of the interactive graphic on the Comms Express website plays the sound of a dial-up modem connecting to the Internet. That brought back some memories, but I’m sure glad we have high-speed Internet now!
Hi Carolyn,
This is such a beautiful post. You have covered such a beautiful information with equally beautiful emotions. I still remember how fascinated we were to see pager and only in few years time it was gone. I am sure the devices we are using now are soon going to get either upgraded or replaced with much higher technology, i guess this is what we term as progress.
If I have to chose one revolutionary change in our communication cycle, I would pick Internet. I mean this one discovery changed everything. It created opportunities like never before and in some places it is only getting started.
In the end, i got very emotional hearing about your brother, I know this loss is irreparable, but I will pray to god that where ever he is, he is at peace.
Hi Navneet, Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad that you enjoyed this article and that my words touched you. You’re right, the loss of my brother is irreparable, but I was blessed to have such a wonderful brother for so many years of my life.
I completely agree with you about the Internet being the most revolutionary change of our lifetime. I’m reading a sci-fi novel now called CyberStorm about what life would be like if we went back to life without the Internet. Not a spoiler => life isn’t the same as it was before the Internet…
Will there be something that replaces the Internet as cell phones replaced pagers? Time will tell…
Carolyn, Thank you for posting the wonderful story about your brother. I can tell he was a very special part of your life and I wish I had known him better. Much love to you and your family during this very sad time. — Jennifer
Thank you for your love and support, Jennifer. They mean so much to me and our family.
Hi Carolyn,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I do find it to be neat that he was an inspiration for you to create this blog, and his legacy will live on in this world through the stunning success you’ve had with Wonder of Tech. When we pause to reflect, to watch those family and friends still with us, and those gone, you’d be stunned to see their influence on us, forever. Rob has truly been a blessing for all of us because without him, this blog may never have been created.
Blessings to you and your family,
Ryan
Thank you Ryan. That’s a great point I hadn’t thought of before, Rob really was instrumental in sparking my love for tech and without that, there wouldn’t be a Wonder of Tech! He really was a blessing.
First of all sorry for your loss! I was shocked when I read about the death of your brother.
I remember some of the technical improvements. Last week I saw a lecture in which a study was presented: contact lenses, which are able to expand the social profile and represent the state of mind of the person. Really scary! Gone is the time when social media still took place on a website.
Hi Marco, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Thank you for your words of condolence.
That is downright creepy. I don’t think people would be comfortable in wearing contact lenses that read your mood and share it on social media. A bit too much like Big Brother, don’t you think?
I am sorry to hear about your loss. I can tell he was a very special part of your life.!
Much Love
Hi Enrrico, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech. Thank you very much, you’re right, Rob was a huge part of my life and he is missed dearly.
Hey Carolyn,
So sorry I’m late getting by here. Been so busy with this product since I’m now into my very last week.
So I know I wasn’t around for a good bit of that like the horse and carriage and morse code but I remember the rotary phone, fax, etc. which really just doesn’t seem like that long ago they were all fixtures in everyone’s homes.
I’m glad we continue to get better and I have a feeling we still have a long way to go. We just never know what tomorrow will bring right. As you so clearly told me I would though, I do love my iPhone!
Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine losing my brother, I would be so devastated as I’m sure your entire family is. My deepest condolences my dear friend and you remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Hope you’re doing okay this week and just take your time.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Thank you for your warm condolences about my brother.
Yes, when we see advances like the fax machine we have to remember that they will probably be surpasses by something even cooler. Changes these days are happening at warp speed, we don’t have a chance to become bored with tech for long before it’s obsolete.
I’m glad you are enjoying your iPhone, Adrienne. Although tech advancements are happening quickly, they can bring much enjoyment to life.
Hi Carolyn,
With the technology changing with time to time we all have seen many changes in the way one communicates. From a hand written letter to an email, from a normal big landline to a smartphones everything is now a part of us to communicate well with others. I loved the representation of how tech has evolved till now. And this will keep on getting better and better with time.
I am really sorry for your loss, Hope Rob is enjoying with the angels with a smile. But, he is surely connected to you and this way of communication can never be changed through tech. This feeling of being so close to your loved ones in two different worlds will remain same forever.
Hi Aditya, Thank you. Yes, Rob and I used to communicate via tech but now I don’t need tech to know where he is.
What was especially striking to me about this digital graphic was how long it took for advances in ancient history but the changes are coming at us at a rapid pace now. Who knows what new means of communication are in our future?
My condolences to you for the loss of your brother, this is a great post btw. I didn’t know video calling was technically initiated in the 1920’s – i learned something new. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jon, for your condolences.
I didn’t know that about video calling either. I thought this interactive graphic was very cool. I’m glad you liked it too, Jon.