Overview
This lecture traces the evolution of media from traditional formats in prehistoric times to the advanced digital technologies of today, highlighting key inventions and their impact on communication.
Evolution of Media: Era Overview
- Pre-Industrial Age: Communication via fire, cave paintings, papyrus, clay tablets, and early newspapers like Acta Diurna and Dibao.
- Industrial Age: Steam power, machine tools, printing press, newspapers, typewriters, telegraphs, telephones, photography, and motion picture technology.
- Electronic Age: Use of transistors led to transistor radios, television, large computers (ENIAC, UNIVAC), and projectors.
- Information Age: Development of the Internet, web browsers, social networks, personal computers, mobile devices, and digitized data.
Pre-Industrial Age Innovations
- Cave paintings (35,000 BC) were the earliest visual communication.
- Papyrus (Egypt, 2500 BC) made information storage and transmission easier.
- Clay tablets (Mesopotamia, 2400 BC) enabled written records in cuneiform.
- Acta Diurna (Rome, 130 BC) and Dibao (China, 2nd century) were early public news bulletins.
- Codex (Mayan, 5th century) used folded books for recordkeeping.
- Woodblock printing (China, 220 AD) allowed for early mass production of texts.
Industrial Age Communication
- Printing press enabled mass production of books and newspapers.
- Telegraph (1830s-40s) enabled long-distance electronic communication.
- Typewriter (1800s) improved document creation speed and clarity.
- Telephone (1876) enabled vocal communication over distances.
- Motion pictures introduced visual storytelling and later synchronized sound.
Electronic Age Advancements
- Transistor radio (1954) made portable audio communication popular.
- Television (1941) brought broadcast news and entertainment to homes.
- Large computers (ENIAC, 1946; UNIVAC, 1951; IBM 704, 1960) revolutionized data processing.
- Personal computers (HP 9100A, 1968; Apple 1, 1976) increased accessibility to computing.
Information Age & Digital Era
- Introduction of web browsers (Mosaic, 1993; Internet Explorer, 1995) made the Internet widely usable.
- Blogging platforms (Blogger, 1999; WordPress, 2003) popularized personal publishing.
- Social networks (Friendster, 2002; Multiply, 2003; Facebook, 2004) and microblogs (Twitter, 2006; Tumblr, 2007) reshaped interaction.
- Video sharing (YouTube, 2005), video chat (Skype, 2003; Google Hangouts, 2013), and search engines (Google, 1996) became mainstream.
- Portable devices (laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones, wearable tech) support mobile communication and computing.
- Technologies like cloud computing and big data enhanced information storage and analysis.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
- IoT enables everyday objects to connect, interact, and exchange data via the Internet.
- Devices include vehicles, appliances, wearables, and more, allowing for automation and remote control.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Papyrus — Early paper-like writing material from Egypt.
- Clay Tablets — Ancient writing medium using impressions on wet clay.
- Acta Diurna — Roman public daily bulletin.
- Dibao — Ancient Chinese governmental bulletin.
- Printing Press — Machine for mass-producing printed materials.
- Telegraph — Long-distance text communication device using electrical signals.
- Transistor — Electronic component enabling miniaturization of radios and computers.
- Mainframe — Large, powerful computers used by organizations.
- Web Browser — Software for navigating the Internet.
- Social Network — Online platform for creating personal or professional connections.
- Microblog — Service for posting short updates, e.g., Twitter.
- IoT (Internet of Things) — Network of connected, data-exchanging devices.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review lecture slides for diagrams and timelines of media evolution.
- Research key technological inventions mentioned for deeper understanding.
- Prepare to compare communication methods across eras in upcoming discussions.